Next Sunday, Edmunds will get behind the wheel of the 2011 Chevy Volt, or rather the closest thing to a production Volt made available thus far in the car's very public gestation. We've already driven a test mule in a Chevy Cruze body, but this will be the first full test drive of the Volt in its production body with a (presumably) working interior. It will also be the first test involving a Volt with a depleted battery, meaning we will be able to experience what the car is like with its 1.4-liter four-cylinder generator running.
Look for a wealth of coverage next Monday here on Edmunds.com as well as over on GreenCarAdvisor and InsideLine.com. Besides the Edmunds Chevy Volt Test Drive, we'll have blogs, photos, videos, Tweets and Facebook updates starting from the second we get behind the wheel in the Dodgers Stadium parking lot next Sunday.
Shopping for a car is difficult enough without trying to overcome a language barrier. Many dealerships have salespeople who speak Spanish so they can serve the Latino community, but this can create a false sense of security for car buyers.
When a salesperson speaks your language, you tend to let our guard down. Be careful. Just because they can communicate with you doesn't mean that they'll be on your side. Salespeople are there to make the most money they can in order to improve dealership profit and boost their commissions.
Chrysler announced that its "Year-end Wrap-up" will kick off today and run until January 4, 2010. The program will be offered on various Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep vehicles. The details on the various incentives and freebies (which vary according to model) that buyers may choose from are as follows:
For the first time, Mercedes-Benz is offering a European full hybrid vehicle in U.S. The ML450 Hybrid's two electric motors and 3.5-liter, V6 gasoline engine together provide 335 hp and 381 lb.-ft. of torque. Fuel economy weighs in at 21 city/24 highway, 46 percent better than a the comparable V8 ML550.
The ML450 Hybrid runs on electric drive only up to a maximum speed of 34 mph. The hybrid system also turns off the gasoline engine when it's not needed (like when coasting) and re-starts it during acceleration. The vehicle retains generous cabin and trunk capacity because the nickel-metal-hydride battery is located under the rear cargo floor.
The ML450 HYBRID will be offered for lease only (no purchase option) for $659 per month for 36 months or $549 per month for 60 months.
Three vehicles were recalled today for different, unrelated reasons.
The 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler equipped with the automatic transmission is being recalled because they were not equipped with a transmission fluid temperature warning system. Fluid could boil over and may come into contact with a hot engine or exhaust component causing a fire. Full NHTSA recall information.
Mitsubishi is recalling 2008-2009 Lancer and Lancer Evolution X models sold in or currently registered in cold-weather states where heavy road salt is used in the winter. Long-term exposure to the typical winter water-salt mixture may corrode the front impact sensor, potentially retarding airbag deployment. Dealers will install new front impact sensors with improved corrosion resistance. Full NHTSA recall information.
Carlos Ghosn, the Chairman and CEO of the Nissan-Renault alliance, recently spoke at length about the future of electric vehicles for Nissan and Renault. Of particular interest is the new Nissan Leaf electric car, which according to Ghosn will be offered to American consumers in a year's time.
For more on Nissan's electric future, you can read Mr. Ghosn's musings on Inside Line as well as editor John O'Dell's take in our Green Car Advisor section.
Despite less-than-stellar sales performance thus far from the stunningly good six-cylinder 335d (and its X5 xDrive35d powertrain partner), BMW is forging ahead with a new four-cylinder diesel that will be offered in a variety of stateside products (likely including the 2011 X1 crossover, pictured above). According to BMW, this downsized oil-burner will provide the performance of a six along with the exceptional fuel economy diesel drivers have come to expect.
Owning the fastest Jaguar isn't just about power; it's about using it wisely. Buyers of the 2010 Jaguar XFR sports sedan or XKR sports coupe can now learn the capabilities and limits of their supercharged, 510-hp vehicles at the new Jaguar R Performance Academy.
Announced today, the complimentary high-performance driving program includes exercises in maximum acceleration, braking and cornering, plus full laps at speed with driving coaches and hot laps with racing drivers. Students will also learn the effects of stability and traction control on handling and should graduate the day feeling more confident about piloting their cars in everyday driving.
The first program is available December 1 - 3, 2009 at the Homestead Miami Speedway in Florida. In 2010, the Academy will visit tracks in Las Vegas, New York, California and others. Vehicle buyers will receive a mailed invitation to register for an event, but space is limited. More details on Inside Line News.
Thanks to positive feedback the concept version received at the 2008 SEMA show as well as at TDI Cup races, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup "Street" Edition will become a reality. This race series-inspired version of the turbodiesel Jetta will have some substance under the obligatory body kit (revised front and rear fascias, lower body skirting). A sport-tuned suspension (similar to that found on the Jetta GLI), 18-inch alloy wheels, and bigger brakes with red calipers give the "Street" some, umm, street cred. The cabin will have some upgrades as well, including sport seats and a leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel with (for DSG-equipped versions) paddle shifters.
Pricing is slated to come in around $25,000, however thanks to this clean diesel's efficiency, you'd also quality for a $1,300 Federal Tax Credit. Those who were wishing VW would have a sport version of the TDI can look forward to this belated Christmas present come this January, when the Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition is due to hit showrooms.
Earlier today, Ford announced its introduction of the auto industry's first-ever inflatable seat belts for production vehicles. The belts will be used to protect rear-seat occupants, and represent a combination of airbag and seat-belt technology.
Pricing has been announced for Suzuki's new midsize sedan. The Kizashi will start at $18,999 for the 2WD, S model with a manual transmission, and tops out at $26,749 for the 4WD, SLS model with a CVT transmission. Suzuki says that the volume seller will be the SE model, which starts at $21,499, and adds larger wheels, cruise control, power driver's seat, and the CVT transmission.
Chrysler made a number of significant announcements today at its press conference, where the company laid out its five year product plan. In terms of product highlights, expect to see fewer V8 engines and more 4 cylinder engines in the coming years. Unfortunately, EV's and hybrids won't surface until their next five year plan. The Ram brand is now officially separated from Dodge. This will be their truck division.
The Dodge Challenger will live on, but the Viper's days are numbered. Dodge also announced a small hatchback based on their Hornet concept car. Fiat and Chrysler will now begin to share their powertrain technology. In late 2010, the Fiat 500 will make its way into U.S. showrooms. A diesel version of the Jeep Wrangler was announced. Also, Jeep will become an more SUV focused brand.
On December 1, Ford dealers will start taking orders for the new 6.2-liter V8 Raptor. The pickup, now the most powerful half-ton truck on the market, makes 411 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque -- 91 hp more than the standard 5.4-liter Triton V8. The high-speed off-roader will start at $41,995, including destination and delivery.
Also today, Ford announced a limited-edition racing version, the $99,950 2011 FR Raptor XT.
Pricing has been set for the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour, which will be offered only in high-line EX and EX-L (leather seating) trims. Opting for the EX-L also means you have the options of all-wheel drive and a navigation system. Slated to go on sale November 20th, the Crosstour will range from $30,380 for the EX to $36,930 for the EX-L 4WD with Navigation.
We recently got behind the wheel of the Crosstour and came away with mostly good impressions of Honda's new niche market, luxury crossover vehicle. Please note that the preliminary specs and pricing data we currently have on the Crosstour are being updated, but the prices reflected in this blog are accurate.
Chrysler is recalling an estimated 12,674 vehicles because of a possible tire and wheel separation issue. Possibly effected vehicles are the 2009 and 2010 Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger and Chrysler 300. It only affects those models with rear-wheel drive (therefore all Challengers).
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration summary of the problem, "these vehicles may have been built without a front wheel spindle nut. While driving, a tire and wheel separation could occur, increasing the risk of a crash."
General Motors' bold marketing strategy that allows customers to drive its cars for up to 60 days with a money back guarantee has been extended. The "May the Best Car Win" program, whose advertisements show a given GM model going up against a rival, has gotten folks who may not have considered a GM car into the showrooms, and more importantly, into the cars.
The program has been such a success for the company -- with very few cars returned -- that it has earned an extension. Originally slated to end on November 30th, the program has been extended to January 4th, 2010. All the details on the program are provided on the 60-day Guarantee site, though note that they haven't yet updated the extension date on the bottom of the page.
Edmunds analysts have reported that three-year-old used cars currently sell for about 16 percent more than they did this time last year. Typically, used car prices rise 4.6 percent from year to year.
"The remarkable price increase is easily attributed to basic economic principles: used car supply is down, and demand is up," said Edmunds.com Analyst Joe Spina, who is responsible for the True Market Value Used Vehicle Appraiser data.
Spina added that, "in recent years, automakers largely withdrew from leasing and now the effects are starting to kick in, so off-lease inventory is starting to dry up. Also, thanks to relative softness in the new car market, there aren't as many used cars being traded in. Meanwhile, demand is up because many traditional new car shoppers are now considering used due to the economy."
Domestic cars are benefitting the most from the price spike. Three-year old domestic cars are selling for about 18 percent more than they did this time last year, while European used car prices fell during the same period.
Great deals exist on convertibles like the Toyota Camry Solara.
A new report from Edmunds.com reveals that screaming Halloween deals are to be had on luxury cars, sports cars and convertibles. "There are still a significant number of 2009 model year vehicles for sale in these segments," states Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Jessica Caldwell. "Dealers should be open to any decent offer, since they know that these vehicles, which often sell to a fashion-conscious crowd, will drop in value once the 2010 model year vehicles roll in."
Every remaining Pontiac and Saturn is also selling at huge discounts due to the imminent closure of these brands. Knowing that dealers must rid their lots of these discountinued models can give consumers a bargaining advantage.
For further information, please take a look at Edmunds' AutoObserver coverage: "Screaming Deals on Convertibles, Luxury Cars, Sports Cars and Dying Models, Edmunds.com Reports."
In previous decades, Dodge's full-size pickup was to Ford's and Chevy's what Phoebe on "Friends" was to Rachel and Monica. Phoebes had her share of fans, but Rachel and Monica were by far more popular. That's how it was for Dodge until the mid-'90s, when they introduced the then-new Ram pickup with its Kenworth-inspired styling and strong engine choices.
The gap was closed considerably, and if our experience with the redesigned for 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 series pickups is any indication, should grow narrower still. We got to check out the new trucks during a press preview held at the Canyons ranch outside San Antonio, TX. Though we didn't brand any cattle, we did subject the Ram HD to a Texas-style triathlon.
A few weeks ago on my morning commute, I passed a yellow school bus in front of the local high school that faces a very busy street. As I accelerated away from it, I realized the bus was still unloading kids. Oops. Guess I missed the "stop arm."
That type of thing happens thousands of times a day. Some of us are in such a rush to get where we're going, distracted by traffic (or whatever else), that it doesn't register in our brains that the school bus has lowered its stop arm or is flashing its yellow lights.
If you're a VW GTI enthusiast and an iPhone or iPod Touch owner, consider yourself doubly blessed. Volkswagen recently announced that they will be debuting the redesigned for 2010 GTI via a free App Store racing game app. The game exclusively features new GTIs as the race cars and "spares no detail, allowing players to experience every thrilling aspect of the all-new 2010 GTI right in the palms of their hands."
In addition to enjoying the free racing game, users also get a chance to win one of six customized GTIs as the company will be giving away one per week. The more you play the game, the greater your chances of winning one of those custom GTIs.
Think most car names are boring? Here's your chance to show your stuff: Chevrolet will launch its extended-range electric Volt in silver with an emerald hue, and is asking the public pick a color name that captures the Volt's "innovation and spirit." Contestants can submit multiple color names at chevroletvoltage.com starting today, National Color Day, through November 4th. Chevy will choose the finalists, and then the public gets to vote for their favorite between November 16th and December 1st.
The contest will award three finalists and a guest roundtrip airfare to Los Angeles, two nights hotel stay, a $400 gift card and admission to the LA Auto Show on December 2nd. The winner will be announced December 1st and will test-drive the pre-production Volt. Expandable pic after the jump.
The U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency has released its annual Fuel Economy Guide for 2010, a valuable resource for consumers that includes everything you'd ever want to know about fuel economy and emissions. Included is a listing of every 2010 model's fuel economy estimates, broken down by engine, transmission and drive wheels. Think of it as the book edition of the EPA's FuelEconomy.gov.
MINI Financial Services is now offering manufacturer-backed extended service contracts on MINI vehicles as part of its MINI Motoring Protection suite, which also includes gap insurance and tire/wheel protection.
MINI owners whose cars are still under standard factory warranty can purchase the extended warranty option, dubbed "Extended Motorer Protection," from a dealer. Available as of yesterday, the program has two tiers of coverage and a range of durations.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Auto Observer: 2010 Ford Taurus Hits Targets in Cross Shopping Ford's decision to take the 2010 Taurus in an upscale direction has proven to be a success for them. Edmunds research shows that buyers are now cross shopping the Taurus with some luxury vehicles, and ordering them fully loaded with technology packages.
Green Car Advisor: Getting Realistic Fuel Economy Rating for Plug-In Hybrids No Easy Chore Once you start having vehicles than can operate on electric power for extended periods, the conventional method of calculating miles per gallon goes out the window. Exploitation of the current method has allowed automakers to make outrageous mpg claims in excess of 200 mpg. But what is the best way to get real world mpg numbers on plug-in hybrid vehicles? Follow the link for a discussion of the alternatives.
Straightline: Ford collision warning testing Ford's Collision Warning system uses radar to scan for vehicles ahead and warns the driver if it senses that an impact is imminent. The system also engages an electronic brake assist to help divers stop sooner. Testing of this collision warning system was conducted in a unique way- though the use of special balloons, shaped like vehicles.
Lexus today announced MSRP for the 2010 LS 460 and LS 460 L sedan, the midsize 2010 GS 350 and 460 sport sedans, and the midsize 2010 GS 450h hybrid. The GS line's price remains unchanged; the LS 460 rises slightly and the 460L drops more than $3,500. Vehicles should arrive at dealerships in the next two weeks. Pricing specifics are after the jump.
As we reported in AutoObserver, General Motors has sold the Hummer brand to a Chinese company for less than a third of the original asking price. According to various sources, GM sold Hummer to Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery for about $150 million versus the $500 million the General was initially seeking.
After the sting of having a potential Saturn sell-off go south (resulting in the demise of that brand) GM could use a little good news.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: Ram Brand Is Born, as Chrysler Purges Ranks and Elevates Designer Gilles As part of its new brand focused strategy, Chrysler has announced that the Ram brand will break off from Dodge and become its own truck and SUV label. Meanwhile, a similar change in direction is occurring in the corporate ranks, with new executives being hired and others resigning.
Green Car Advisor: Nissan Leaf Video Campaign Launches to Promote New Electric Car Nissan kicked off the first in a series of informative videos that promote its new electric vehicle. This minute-long video establishes the history that Nissan has in producing electric vehicles powered by lithium Ion batteries. The Nissan Leaf is expected to launch in selected U.S. cities next year.
Auto Observer: Make Mercedes Payment through iPhone App Need to a way to make your car payment over the phone? Like the commercial says, "There's an app for that." With this new application, you can check your loan balance, make a payment, or locate your nearest Mercedes dealership. The application is free to download, and will work on iPhones and the iPod Touch.
The Infiniti FX35 isn't for everybody. Compared to more cookie-cutter crossovers, the FX35 -- with its rakish rear pillar and unorthodox exterior styling -- exudes the attitude that it can take you on a ride that other crossovers can't. Why else would Edmunds' staff of normally circumspect scribes have fallen for the FX35's higher-end sibling, the FX50, as evidenced by the many Long-Term Road Test blog posts.
While the FX35 we tech tested doesn't have the full complement of cool tech that our LT FX50 is laden with, it has plenty of bells and whistles to go along with its exterior bling and performance prowess. But all these extras don't come cheap and are packaged so that you can't cherry-pick what you want. Our test vehicle topped out at $46,955 after starting out at $40,950, with the extra $5k consisting of two pricey but extensive options packages.
PPG Industries, a leading paint supplier to the car companies, recently released the results of its color trend survey. Silver (and its darker cousin Charcoal) once again took the gold medal in this Olympics as it was the most popular color choice among automotive consumers.
As far as the hard numbers go, Silver and Charcoal were the preferred color choices of 25 percent of new car buyers this year, trailed by white (with 18 percent), black (with 16 percent) and red (with 12 percent).
Say the three letters "GMC" and chances are folks are going to think of big, big trucks -- you know, Yukons and Sierras. For 2010, General Motor's truck division is looking to change that as it dips its toes...no make that does a cannonball into the compact crossover pond with the 2010 GMC Terrain.
Yes, the Terrain is a platform twin to the redesigned Chevy Equinox, so there's not a heck of a lot different under the skin, but it offers a more rugged presence. Just look at those massive fender flares and in-your-face grille. The Hummer H3 and your kids' Tonka trucks have nothing on this rig for attitude. We recently attended a press preview of the Terrain and our impressions follow the jump.
If you want to get your next General Motors vehicle on eBay, better act fast. The company is ending its eBay experiment this week, apparently because the initiative failed to generate sales. According to an Edmunds.com analysis, one significant problem was that GM's "Buy It Now" prices were too high -- 2% above our True Market Value, to be precise.
Edmunds AutoObserver has all the details on GM's eBay adventure.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2010 Buick LaCrosse and 2010 Nissan Versa the title of Top Safety Pick. This is accomplished by achieving the highest possible rating of "Good" in the institute's frontal-offset, side and rear crash tests, plus the vehicle must be equipped with stability control. The latter is standard on the LaCrosse and optional on the Versa.
Ford introduced its next generation of its Super Duty pickups at, appropriately enough, the Texas state fair. With a massive, blocky grille and equally brawny body styling, the new Super Duty features a number of key improvements that should interest its core demographic, that being folks who use these trucks as serious work horses. Highlights among the key features include:
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: Priced 2010 Lexus ES 350 The Lexus ES350 has received some significant changes for 2010. But these changes in sheet metal also come with a $330 increase in price. This now makes the ES 350 $1200 more than a Mercedes-Benz C300 and $3400 more than an Audi A4 2.0T.
Auto Observer: Consumers Wary of GM Money-Back Guarantee The internet is buzzing with talk over General Motor's new money-back guarantee. But is it really that easy to return a vehicle as advertised? Will you get all of your money back? Not quite. There are a number of scenarios in the fine print that can potentially reduce the amount you get back.
Green Car Advisor: BMW Learning Lessons from Mini E Test The Mini E was designed as a trial run for future BMW electric vehicles. Green Car Advisor has chronicled a few of the setbacks along the way, and what lessons BMW has learned from them. Chief among them is realization that the electric vehicle infrastructure isn't quite where it needs to be to sustain a fleet of EV vehicles.
Taking a page from the Chevy Cobalt XFE, Hyundai has introduced a new entry-level trim for its Elantra compact sedan that promises improved gas mileage over the regular model. With a starting price of $14,145, the 2010 Hyundai Elantra Blue is essentially a base Elantra that features a "smart" alternator management system, lower friction engine components, revised transmission gear ratios, engine calibration changes and a manual transmission shift indicator. A five-speed manual is the only transmission available, whereas the GLS and SE trim levels come standard with a four-speed automatic.
However, most of the Blue's mileage enhancement features have been carried over to those other Elantra trims. As such, the fuel economy differences between them are negligible. Estimated mileage for the Elantra Blue is 26 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, and increase over the 24/33 achieved by the '09 base Elantra with manual. The auto-equipped GLS and SE now achieve 26/34, which is an improvement over last year's 25/33.
The Elantra Blue is now the cheapest car in its class, undercutting the Cobalt XFE while boasting standard features the Chevy doesn't offer like power windows and locks, and four-wheel disc brakes.
If you search under the word "smell" our Forums, you'll find car buyers writing in to ask about smells in their car that don't seem quite right. These questions pop up consistently and sometimes lead to discussions of potentially unsafe chemicals in vehicles, as it has with the discussion of a sulfur smell coming from the Toyota 4Runner.
But it's not just that new car smell that could be harmful. A car has thousands of chemicals in its very composition, plus hundreds or thousands more required for its operation (like air conditioning, for example). There's a rising tide of concerned car buyers and health advocates who feel that those chemicals could be toxic to both drivers and passengers -- particularly children, who are more vulnerable.
HealthyStuff.org, which tests a wide variety of consumer products for toxic chemicals, has issued new report that includes results on more than 700 new and used cars, as well as kids' car seats. The Ten Best and Ten Worst are above. Among the findings:
This week, Nissan revealed that despite some standard feature additions, the 2010 Versa sedans will return at the same price as last year's, while the S and SL hatchbacks receive a slight bump of $40 and $200, respectively. These added features include interior and exterior styling updates, along with some additions to certain trim levels. SL models now come standard with iPod integration as well as traction and stability control. Hatchback SL models now include last year's sport body kit as standard, too. Even in its most modest configuration, the Versa makes for an excellent bargain - as proven in our most recent comparison test.
Effective tomorrow, Chrysler Group will resume leasing on all 2010 model year Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles, courtesy of its recent lending partnership with GMAC Financial Services.
"Special" vehicle lease rates through Sept. 30, 2009 will be available on the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, Ram 1500 and Journey, and Jeep Wrangler and Liberty. Current Chrysler Group vehicle owners are also eligible for $1,000 Owner Loyalty Bonus Cash for the lease or purchase of select 2010 vehicles or the purchase (only) of select 2009 vehicles.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: Nissan Announces Pricing on 2010 Titan The Nissan Titan gets a slight bump in price for 2010. The Titan XE King Cab 4x2 starts at $27,100 and the top of the line Titan SE Long Wheelbase with crew cab starts at $34,630 for the 4X4 model. There are two new exterior colors for 2010 and an available SE Value Truck Package.
Green Car Advisor: Ford to Introduce 2-Cylinder Engine, and Smallest Turbocharged, Next Year Ford's EcoBoost and direct injection technologies has allowed them to create smaller engines without much of a sacrifice in power. They are planning to incorporate these EcoBoost engines into numerous models. In some cases the EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine will replace their 3.0 liter V6.
Karl on Cars: Talk Back Tuesday: Will a 60-Day Guarantee Get You to Buy a GM Product? Edmunds' Editor in Chief, Karl Brauer, examines General Motors recent ad campaign, and raises two key points: 1) Are GM's cars really as good or better than the competition? 2) Can GM convince a substantial amount of potential customers its cars are as good or better than the competition?
Heralding a "new era in automotive history," the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency today proposed a national fuel economy standard of 35.5 mpg by 2016. If made law, the new standard would be more stringent than the 2007 CAFE law, which mandated 35 mpg fleet average for passenger cars and light trucks by 2020.
It would also require model year 2016 vehicles to meet an estimated combined average emission level of 250 grams of carbon dioxide per mile, marking the first time a national limit on tailpipe emissions has been proposed.
The national program, which has broad automaker support would: - Increase fuel economy by approximately five percent every year - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 950 million metric tons - Save the average car buyer more than $3,000 in fuel costs over the life of the car - Conserve 1.8 billion barrels of oil
Under the proposal, automakers could follow one national standard instead of three (DOT, EPA, and a state standard), greatly increasing efficiency.
The Obama administration Friday decided to impose a tariff on tires produced in China, fulfilling a promise to "crack down" on unfair trade practices. The decision was made to aide the ailing U.S. tire industry, which has lost more than 5,000 jobs within the last five years as the sales of Chinese tire sales have tripled. The tire tariff will amount to 35 percent the first year, 30 percent the second and 25 percent the third -- numbers lower than those recommended by the federal trade panel.
Did you miss out on the Cash for Clunkers program? Fear not, since Hyundai just announced they will be award an additional $1,000 on top of your trade-in towards a new Santa Fe or Sonata. It's a pretty sweet deal when you also consider the company's ongoing cash-back rebates ($2k for Santa Fe, $3k for Sonata) and the Santa Fe's promotion of a year's worth of gas locked-in at $1.49/gallon. Just like Clunkers, these deals won't last - promotions are good only through September 30th.
Auto Observer: Less is More? Smaller Pickups Benefit from C4C Auto Observer reports sales of more fuel-efficient midsize pickups have fared much better than their larger, thirstier stablemates - thank in no small part to the Cash for Clunkers program. In August, the Toyota Tacoma outsold the massive Tundra, the Ford Ranger saw a dramatic increase compared to the F-Series and the Chevy Colorado made modest gains while sales of the full-size Silverado plummeted. With the end of the Cash for Clunkers program, sales are expected to return to previous levels, but it remains to be seen if the shift to smaller trucks will continue.
Green Car Advisor: Dodge Caliber Heads to Frankfurt with Much-Needed Improvements Chrysler will be unveiling an improved Dodge Caliber at the Frankfurt Motor Show this month, according to Green Car Advisor. The big news is the addition of a 2.2-liter turbo diesel, but there are no plans to bring that engine stateside. What we will get, however, are an all-new interior plus improvements to the gasoline-powered engines, in the way of increased power, better fuel economy along with smoother and quieter operation.
IL News: Lexus Rolls-Out Refreshed LS and GS Models in Frankfurt Inside Line reports that Lexus will be unveiling the 2010 LS and GS models at the Frankfurt Motor Show. These are not complete redesigns, however, just a few styling tweaks and improvements like new seats, updated hardware and better driving dynamics.
General Motors began experimenting with online sales through eBay on August 11th using California as a test market. This pilot program was set to expire on September 8th, but our associates at Auto Observer report that the program has been extended through September 30th and could possibly be offered nationwide. Buying anything online requires a little research and savvy, and as previously reported here at Edmunds.com, we suggest buyers select the "Make and Offer" rather than the "Buy it Now" option in order to secure the best price. We also urge buyers to make use of our list of Starting Offer Prices in order to place a realistic bid and expedite the process. The list, broken down by make and model, recommends an initial bid that is between 6% and 11% below MSRP depending on the model. Happy Bidding!
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere. IL News: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour Revealed Honda released the first photos of its new Accord based crossover. Bearing little resemblance to the current Accord, this CUV will offer more room and cargo capacity, while retaining a car-like ride. The Crosstour will be positioned at the top of the Accord lineup, and is scheduled to launch this October.
Green Car Advisor: Clean Cities Initiative Parcels Out $300 Million for Alt Fuel Vehicles The Department of Energy's Clean Cities program issued $300 Million in federal grants to promote alternative fuels. The purpose of the program is to reduce diesel emissions and other exhaust fumes in major cities. Each state and municipality has its own project that the program will subsidize.
IL News: 2010 Nissan Rogue Priced The Nissan Rogue remains unchanged for the 2010 model year, but the price has slightly risen by $120. The Rogue S FWD starts at $21,140. Nissan is also offering a $1,040 value package that bundles a number of options at a reduced rate.
Volvo is offering a 3-month trial subscription of the Sirius Everything package on certified pre-owned Volvos sold after today. That's half the trial time that the company's new 2010 vehicles will offer.
Families thinking of a CPO Volvo (and tired of listening to the whining) can use a $299 aftermarket kit to add Sirius' Backseat TV. The $6.99/mo. upgrade streams live Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network to the kiddies while front seaters listen, gratefully, to more intelligent fare. Viva la difference.
Ford will introduce the industry's most advanced turbodiesel engine when it unveils its redesigned 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks. Using the same basic engine architecture as BMW's turbocharged V8, the new 6.7-liter V8 flips the location of the exhaust and intake manifolds. There is also a new compacted graphite iron block, B20 bio-diesel capability, reduced NVH, enhanced emissions controls and a single-sequential turbocharger with an industry-first double-sided turbo compressor wheel, which theoretically acts like a twin-turbocharger.
The big news in this big truck, though, is the lay-out. By placing the exhaust in the valley between cylinder banks, Ford engineers reduced the amount of exhaust system volume, which allows air to be fed into the single-sequential turbocharger quicker for faster spool up and reduced lag. It also keeps the hot exhaust system away from other engine components that need to remain cool.
Ford claims that the net result will be more torque and horsepower, though it didn't publish exact numbers. For comparison, though, the current 6.4-liter turbodiesel that wowed us back in 2008 produces 350 hp and 650 pound-feet of torque. Chevy's HD truck line is the current king of the hill with a 6.6-liter diesel V8 good for 365 hp and 660 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is also said to improve, though we may never know for sure since heavy-duty trucks aren't required to report fuel economy figures.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere. Auto Observer: Toyota Closing NUMMI In March; Tacoma to Texas Toyota announced yesterday that it will be closing its NUMMI assembly plant in Fremont, CA. This facility was a joint-venture operation with General Motors, which was responsible for producing the Toyota Tacoma, Corolla, and the Pontiac Vibe. Tacoma production will be moved to San Antonio, where it is expected to create 4,700 new jobs. Green Car Advisor: Think Exits Bankruptcy; First City EVs To Be Delivered by Year-End Norwegian electric vehicle maker Think has emerged from its bankruptcy proceedings with new investors and a $47 million capital infusion. A spokesperson for its North American division says that the company is on track to begin U.S. sales next year.
IL News: Ford Beefs Up Shifts at Two U.S. Truck Plants A surge in sales due to cash for clunkers has prompted Ford to add a third manufacturing shift and increase production of the Ford F-150, Escape, and Mercury Mariner. Although Cash for Clunkers ended on Monday, Ford expects demand to remain strong.
The Insurance Instutute for Highway Safety just announced that the Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger have all earned its prestigious "Top Safety Pick" award. This is a rather difficult honor to achieve, as a vehicle must have stability control as a standard feature and earn the agency's top rating of "Good" in its frontal offset, side impact and rear crash tests.
As reported over at our InsideLinesister site, Audi has announced official pricing for the 2010 Audi Q7. The base model has been dropped from the lineup and pricing (including destination) is unchanged on the 3.6 Quattro Premium (at $47,725) and the TDI Quattro Premium (at $51,725) while the top-dog 4.2 Quattro Prestige sees the formally optional S Line package made standard, increasing its price to $61,825.
Toyota's Corolla was the most purchased car under the Cash for Clunkers program.
The Department of Transportation is tooting its own horn. Claiming overwhelming success for the Cash for Clunkers program, the federal government is crowing about the 690,114 sales the program spurred, the fuel economy gains made, and the American jobs restored.
But there's the nagging fact that vehicle transaction prices actually rose during the program, as some manufacturers and dealers cut back on their own incentive offerings. Customers taking advantage of the program still got great deals -- just not as great as if they'd been able to simply tack the C4C rebate onto the market prices that existed before the program.
Certain Toyota and Scion owners may want to pay a visit to their dealers before winter sets in. Toyota has recalled 95,700 Toyota- and Scion-brand vehicles in cold-weather states, due to a potential brake malfunction problem that could flare up in frigid temperatures.
Recalled models include 2008 and 2009 Scion xDs, as well as 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corolla and Matrix vehicles. In colder weather, affected vehicles may suffer ice accumulation that could lead to weakened power-assist to the brakes.
To remedy this problem, a new intake air conditioner must be installed; this replacement will be performed by the dealer free of charge. The recall covers the following states: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Vehicle owners in the 19 affected states will begin receiving recall notices in early September.
Not content to wait for the Federal government to begin phasing in stricter roof-crush requirements in 2012, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) already conducted its version of the test for micro and minicars.
The results? The tiny Smart ForTwo has the strongest roof, the Chevy Aveo, the weakest. Full results are at right. (G = Good, A = Acceptable, M = Marginal.) None of the cars tested ranked "Poor."
Stronger roofs are expected to cut down on the deaths and injuries suffered in vehicle rollovers. Although rollovers aren't the most common form of crash, they are the most lethal, killing some 10,000 people each year.
So the IIHS is getting tough. Starting with the 2010 model year, a vehicle must earn a "Good" rating in the roof crush test in order to qualify to be an IIHS Top Safety Pick -- an important award that automakers use to tout their safety chops. The new requirement will drive some automakers to improve their roof strength ahead of the federal requirement, which won't be fully phased in until 2016.
For details on the minicars test results, click here. To learn how roof crush tests are conducted, click here.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Auto Observer: GM Readies Break with Four Divisions, but Opel Intrigue Continues The dust has not yet settled from Cash for Clunkers, but General Motors now has to go back to the task of distancing itself from its former brands Saab, Saturn, Hummer and Opel. Meanwhile, tensions are mounting with the German government, who had given GM its blessing to sell Opel to Canadian supplier Magna International Inc.
IL News: 1994 Honda Accord Tops Most Stolen Vehicle List for 2008 The National Insurance Crime Bureau released its annual list of most stolen vehicles. The 1995 Honda Civic took second place. The report also noted that the amount of stolen vehicles showed a strong pattern of decrease in recent years. Green Car Advisor: China's BYD Plans to Sell Plug-in Electric Car in U.S. Never heard of BYD Auto? You will by next year, if their e6 Electric vehicle makes it to the U.S. According to BYC, the e6 is capable of accelerating from zero to 60 miles an hour in 8 seconds, has a top speed of 100 mph, and can travel up to 249 miles on a single charge.
The Cash For Clunkers government sponsored rebate program ended Monday at 8 p.m. EDT (5 p.m. PDT), but the deadline for dealers to file paperwork associated with the program was extended until noon EDT Tuesday. Though the deadline for completing sales under the Cash For Clunkers program (aka CARS) did not change, due to a glitch in the computer filing system, the government decided to give dealerships some extra time to file paperwork.
According to a statement issued earlier Monday by the Department of Transportation (DOT), "Despite a large increase in the system's capacity, the Web site was down temporarily this afternoon. Because of the temporary shutdown, dealers have been given extra time to file the necessary paperwork."
This extra time to file paperwork does not mean that dealers may continue to accept Clunker trade-ins after the sales cutoff Monday evening. But it may mean that potential deals made late in the day will have time to be submitted.
The DOT says the Web site used by the dealers to submit paperwork was brought down by "overwhelming demand." It's likely that another extension to the filing deadline (but not the sales deadline) may be granted if additional capacity to handle the crush of inbound filings is not successful.
Somewhere Elmer Fudd is rejoicing -- the Rabbit is no more. For 2010, North America gets the sixth-generation Volkswagen Golf that was introduced last year in Europe and this time it will keep its name, ditching the retro Rabbit moniker applied to the fifth-generation Golf.
A base, two-door Golf with the 2.5-liter five-cylinder will start at $17,490, while the four-door begins at $19,190. Unlike the 09 Rabbit, the 2010 Golf will be available in TDI diesel form, starting at $21,990 for the two-door and $22,590 for the four-door. Like the Jetta, the TDI will have a higher level of equipment than the base, gasoline version. The GTI has also been overhauled for 2010 and will start at $23,290.
The Cash for Clunkers program (aka CARS) ends today at 8 p.m. EST (5 p.m. Pacific time). If you are one of those people that waits until the last possible minute to get things done, today is your LAST DAY to take advantage of the government rebate on your old car. Here's a crash course on Cash for Clunkers:
You have until 8 p.m. EST tonight (5 p.m. PDT) to get the deal completed. There may be of number of people trying to get deals done before the deadline, so we reccomend getting as early a start as possible.
Make sure all your paperwork is in order. Dealers are being strongly advised to submit complete applications. They want to get paid and you want to get your credit, so make sure you bring proof of insurance, registration, and your car's title. If you're not sure what specific items to bring, refer to our FAQ page.
These are the list of eligible trade-in vehicles. Keep in mind that if your vehicle is worth more than $4500, this program does not make financial sense for you. We also have a chart that outlines what the requirements are on the trade-in vehicle.
These are the list of eligible new cars. Just click on the brand you want and you'll see the vehicles that get the required mpg. Not sure what to get? Here are 10 good clunker replacements.
As our sister site InsideLinehas reported, VW and its uptown cousin Audi have issued a voluntary joint recall for some vehicles equipped with the DSG automated-clutch manual transmission ("S-Tronic" in Audi-speak). Both carmakers have stated that a faulty temperature sensor could light up a warning light in the instrument panel, and in rare cases, the transmission could shift into neutral. About 13,500 VWs and 2,500 Audis have been affected.
Though a recall notice has yet to be posted by NHTSA (safercar.gov), both carmakers have said that they will contact owners of the affected vehicles in the coming weeks to have their vehicles inspected and repaired. Owners of these models may also call Volkswagen at (800) 444-8982 or Audi at (800) 253-2834 if they have any questions.
Affected Vehicles: VW: 2009-2010 Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GTI and Eos. Audi: 2009 A3, TT and TT Roadster
The federal Cash For Clunkers program (aka CARS) is scheduled to end today, August 24 at 8 p.m. EDT (5 p.m. Pacific). Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Ray LaHood announced last week that the program will end Monday because most of the $3 billion allocated for the program has been spoken for.
"It's been a thrill to be part of the best economic news story in America," LaHood said according to a statement issued last Thursday. "Now we are working toward an orderly wind down of this very popular program."
The Cash For Clunkers program will have run one month since its July 24 kickoff, having burned through its initial funding of $1 billion in less than one week. Refunded with an additional $2 billion, the program's popularity has it ending before its expected run through Labor Day.
According to the DOT, by last week paperwork for 457,000 vehicle sales had already been submitted, accounting for $1.9 billion in funding. Many dealers have been complaining of the large backlog in claims they've submitted, and many have already opted out of the program. The DOT stated that 170,000 applications had been reviewed so far, accounting for $145 million in payouts.
Owners of some 2009 BMW Z4 models may want to take those corners a little slower. BMW issued a recall today for Z4 30I and 35I vehicles manufactured between March 10-19, 2009. A defective electrical crimp connector could prevent the seat belt tensioner from working properly in a crash. Owners are urged to contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117 or NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 or through SaferCar.gov. Reference NHTSA campaign number 09V327000.
Though the CARS program (aka Cash for Clunkers) still has about half of its funding available, a number of news outlets are reporting that some dealers have suspended clunker sales due to lack of payment from the government. The popularity of the program along with a few clerical errors has caused a backlog in clunkers applications, which is delaying the payout process. Numerous dealers are claiming that they are owed credits deep into the six figures.The Obama administration is expected to announce a wind-down strategy in the next few days to ensure that dealers will receive their funds.
This may make it slightly harder for consumers to find participating dealers, but savvy shoppers can take advantage of new incentives that utilize the cash for clunkers credit.
General Motors and Honda are the latest companies to begin boosting their production for vehicles that are selling well under the Cash for Clunkers program (Ford announced the same last week). Automakers, which had originally cut inventory back drastically due to poor sales, are responding to dealers who screaming for more small and fuel-efficient vehicles to sell before the Cash for Clunkers money runs out.
The ramped-up production is good news for some consumers who were having trouble locating the car they wanted. For all the details on the models affected and what it means, see our AutoObserver entry.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere. Inside Line: 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS Full Test The redesigned Buick LaCrosse has set its sights on the Lexus ES 350. Will its larger size and and modern styling be enough to lure new buyers? Follow the link for more details.
Green Car Advisor: 'Clunkers' Program Costing Wounded Vets, Other Needy People, Millions in Aid A number of charities are seeing a sudden drop in car donations. Cars that would otherwise be donated to their organizations are instead being used as Cash for Clunker trade-ins to purchase new vehicles. This unintended consequence of the federal program has many charities estimating a 25 percent drop in donations.
IL News: Priced: 2010 Audi S4 and A5/S5 Cabriolet Pricing was announced on the 2010 Audi S4 performance sedan and the A5/S5 convertibles. The S4 will start at $46,725, the A5 cabriolet will start at $42,825, and the S5 cabriolet will start at $59,075.
The 2009 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ASCI) for automobiles and light vehicles was released today. Volkswagen has made the biggest improvement, while Nissan's score dropped more than any other manufacturer. This study, produced by The University of Michigan and the National Quality Research Center (NQRC), also found a rise in owner satisfaction - 84 percent of owners are satisfied with their vehicles, an all-time high. Check out the full list to see how your favorite brands fared.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Edmunds AutoObserver: Has GM Got the Good in its Upcoming Stable? AutoObserver Bill Visnic details GM's future product plans, but notes that GM's quantity of new models (like the Cadillac CTS wagon, above) indicates nothing about the most important factor: whether a significant number of these new models are winners.
The 2010 Honda Insight after its IIHS front crash test. The car is totaled, but the "driver" is OK.
Today the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced that three small cars, the 2010 Honda Insight, Toyota Prius, and Kia Soul, have earned their "Top Safety Pick" award after extensive crash tests. Including the three new winners, only 10 small cars earn the Institute's highest rating. In order to qualify, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of "good" in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with electronic stability control.
According to an upcoming release from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), consumers who are not finding the car they'd like to buy on dealer lots under the Cash For Clunkers program (aka CARS) will be able to order a qualifying vehicle and still receive the rebate.
As dealer inventories of the most popular cars in the program are depleted (including Ford's Focus and Escape, Dodge Caliber, etc.), NHTSA is stepping in to modify the rules of the Clunkers program. It's hoped the change will help keep the program's momentum going as the selection of new cars has dwindled, making it harder for consumers to find a decent selection of qualifying purchases.
Per the upcoming announcement, if consumers want to order a vehicle under the CARS program, the dealer must obtain the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from the manufacturer before submitting the transaction. To obtain a VIN, the vehicle must already be in the production pipeline. All required documentation for the trade-in vehicle must also be in order for the rebate request to be considered.
"The Department of Transportation is trying to make sure that everyone who wants to can participate in this wildly successful program," explained U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Allowing consumers to order vehicles and qualify for the rebate will expand buyers' choices and keep production lines running."
Nowadays, most car makers would be happy to have one hybrid sedan in their lineup; with the new HS 250h, Lexus now has three. Billed as a luxury sport sedan hybrid, the HS 250h shares its powertrain (but nothing else) with the Toyota Camry hybrid. Our test drive finds out whether or not Lexus' first four-cylinder, fuel economy-minded car is worthy of the L on its grille.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: General Motors Offers Zero-Percent Financing on Top of Cash for Clunkers
The demand for the cash for clunkers
(C4C) program has been outstripping the supply, and now General Motors hopes to stoke the fires even further by offering zero percent financing on eligible C4C models. The special rate runs from now until August 31, 2009. Buyers not interested in the zero percent financing can instead get $1,000 in customer cash.
Auto Observer: California GM Dealers List Cars on eBay General Motors is beginning a trial run of its "virtual showroom" in conjunction with the online auction house eBay. So far, 90 percent of California Dealers have signed on, and are expected to list about 200,000 vehicles. These will be posted as "buy it now" listings, rather than traditional auctions. Buyers can also choose to submit a lower offer than the listed price.
Green Car Advisor: GM Unveils Volt Charging System Since a public infrastructure for charging the upcoming Chevrolet Volt is not yet in place, GM is equipping its plug-in hybrid to be charged at the owner's home. The charging system was debuted at a plug-in conference in Long Beach, Calif. GM is still debating between the 100 or 240-volt setup.
The smashingly successful Cash for Clunkers program -- which panicked Congress into authorizing $2 billion in additional funds -- saw new car sales skyrocket. So how is it possible that sales could drop to their (awful) pre-program levels as soon as nine days from now?
Michelle Krebs reports in AutoObserver that the pool of buyers who have eligible clunkers -- and the wherewithal to finance a new car -- is drying up. Sales are already down 15 percent from last week's peak.
As Edmunds Auto Observer reported, GM recently stated that its upcoming Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric car will score an eye-opening EPA city fuel economy estimate of 230 mpg. That figure is based on the assumption that the car will be driven entirely in electric mode in the city, and thus is the energy equivalent of driving 230 miles on a gallon of gasoline. Though both highway and the more telling "combined" figures have yet to be worked out, GM Chief Executive Fritz Henderson claims that the Volt will get in excess of 100 mpg for the combined estimate: "I'm confident that we will be in triple digits."
The Volt can travel up to 40 miles on a charge and unlike conventional pure electric cars has a back-up -- a small gasoline engine that will kick in if the battery pack's charge runs out. The engine powers the Volt's electric motor until the driver can find another outlet to recharge its battery pack.
As nearly 80 percent of Americans commute less than 40 miles a day, GM and the EPA see the gas engine's usage, and hence gasoline consumption, as being extremely rare, hence the high fuel economy estimates. Charging the Volt at home overnight (during off-peak hours) would cost only about 40 cents for a full charge, according to Fritz. For a more in-depth look at the Volt's inner workings, check out this Green Car Advisor article.
The Chevrolet Volt is expected to debut for 2011 with pricing rumored to be around $40,000.
In an effort to draw more consumers to Buick, Chevrolet, GMC and Pontiac vehicles, General Motors dealers in California will begin listing cars on eBay starting tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 11. It is the first time Ebay has entered into such a specific relationship with an automaker, creating a "virtual showroom online."
The program is designed to allow customers to comfortably shop online and even initiate the purchase process while at the same time including dealers. Thus far 90 percent of California's Buick, Chevy, GMC and Pontiac dealers have agreed to participate, while Cadillac is on a wait-and-see basis awaiting early results of the program.
Audi has announced pricing on most vehicles in its 2010 lineup. Prices have been set for the A3, A4, A5, A6, A8, R8, TT and Q5. If you want to get the all the details (including 2010 model changes) and don't mind wading through enough info to fill the Hoover Dam, take a look-see after the jump.
Mitsubishi has just released official pricing for its new hatchback variants of the Lancer GTS and Lancer Ralliart. Dubbed "Sportback", these Lancers offer greater cargo capacity (and in the eyes of some, better styling) than the sedans. Specifically, the Sportbacks offer an impressive 52.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity, or about 9 cubes more than their chief Subaru Impreza rivals.
The GTS (which has the 2.4-liter, 168-hp inline four) with a 5-speed manual starts at $19,190 (not including destination). Fitted with the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), it's $1,000 more. The Ralliart version boasts a 237-hp, 2.0-liter, turbocharged four that sends the power to the ground via a six-speed automated dual-clutch manual gearbox and all-wheel drive. The price for all that performance along with room for your Ikea spoils? $27,590.
Cash For Clunkers has received another boost. The U.S. Senate ground past 8 p.m. tonight to pass an un-amended version of a funding bill that sailed through the U.S. House last week. The bill provides an extra $2 billion for the wildly popular Cash For Clunkers program (aka CARS), and is expected to fund the program through Labor Day.
Though originally conceived with a $4 billion budget, Cash For Clunkers launched July 27 with only $1 billion in funding, which was depleted far faster than anyone had anticipated. This additional funding boost will bring the total Cash For Clunkers budget to $3 billion, and is expected to stimulate an additional 500,000 new car sales. Though the bill for extra Clunkers cash sailed through the House last week with wide bipartisan support, the Senate narrowly passed the bill along party lines: 60-37.
Now that new funding has become available, be sure to check out our Cash For Clunkers page for details on how to qualify for the program, see our lists of eligible trade-ins and purchases, and take a look at our Tips and Advice section to help you get the best deal on a new car.
GM has issued a recall on 185,904 trucks in its Chevrolet, GM and Isuzu lines. Some of these vehicles may have defective brake lamp switches. This defect could cause the brake lamps to either stay on continuously or fail to function.
The recall includes the following trucks: model year 2004-2009 Chevrolet Colorado; model year 2004-2009 GMC Canyon; model year 2006 Isuzu I-280 and I-350; and model year 2007-2008 Isuzu I-290 and I-370.
Dealers will inspect and replace the relevant parts free of charge. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at 1-866-996-9463, or Isuzu at 1-800-255-6727 for more info; they may also visit GMOwnerCenter.com.
The 3 and 6 mph tests were designed to see how the cars' bumpers protect fenders, headlights, trunks, grilles and other parts from costly damage. The lowest estimated repair cost from the test was $742 on the front of the Mazda 6; the highest was $3,494 on the rear of the Chevy Malibu. Repair costs are influenced by both the price of replacement parts and the complexity of repairs.
"Consumers buy midsize cars for practical reasons. There's nothing practical about a $1,000-plus repair bill after a minor bump in commuter traffic," says Joe Nolan, Institute senior vice president.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood predicted today that the U.S. Senate will replenish the popular cash-for-clunkers program with an additional $2-billion. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid echoed his statement, declaring today that the Senate will vote to extend the popular "cash-for-clunkers" program before going home on Friday. In the meantime, LaHood wants people to feel confident trading in their old gas guzzlers.
"We have enough money to continue," he said. "We encourage people to go into dealerships." LaHood said the administration had processed 157,000 claims, totaling $664 million of the original $950 million allocation. It's estimated that the balance in the fund will cover another 67,600 vouchers, enough to cover the program until the Senate vote.
There had been serious concerns that the program would be victim of its own success, and there wouldn't be enough money left to continue taking old guzzlers off the road.
In a related development, sales of used are experiencing an unexpected bump from the C4C program, even though they aren't eligible. Consumers who drive their old cars into dealerships -- only to discover that their clunkers don't qualify -- decide to trade their wheels in on a later-model used vehicle.
Add in new car production cuts, and you've got an effective recipe for rapidly rising used car prices. Prices are expected to continue to climb through August.
So whether you're looking for a new car in an ever-dwindling supply, or looking to buy used before prices shoot higher, the phrase, "He who hesitates is lost" rings true.
General Motors Co., which suspended leasing last year during the credit crunch, has today reinstated leasing on eight models in five states, though the 2010 Cadillac SRX will be available to lease nationally.
The leases are offered by U.S. Bank on the models sold in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan and Ohio.
Leasing allows many consumers to drive a more expensive vehicle than they could afford to buy, so GM's pull-back from leasing hit sales of GM's high-end vehicles particularly hard. GM is waiting to see the response to its pilot program before deciding how extensively to approach leasing on a nationwide basis.
Toyota announced pricing for six of its 2010 models last week, including the FJ Cruiser, Avalon, Yaris, Highlander, RAV4 and Tacoma. This comes just as Toyotas are flying off the lots thanks to Cash for Clunkers. Pricing details after the jump.
A $2 billion extension for the Cash For Clunkers program has passed a U.S. House vote, and will now head to the Senate next week where it is expected to face stiffer opposition. The rapid proposal and vote was in response to the wildly popular incentive program being in danger of over-stripping its funding only a few days after its official launch.
Part of the opposition is expected via senators from Maine and California, who expressed that their initial support for the CARS program was with the caveat that any additional funding for the program would address their concerns for more stringent fuel economy requirements for new vehicles purchased through the program.
The White House has insisted that the program will continue to run through the weekend, though any real delay in the Senate next week could easily suspend or derail the program. "The administration is comfortable and confident that the money," explained White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, "...the previous money that was allocated through the supplemental appropriations is enough to cover those transactions and to continue operating the program."
Cash for Clunkers (aka CARS) trade-ins will be accepted through the weekend, a government spokesman announced Friday morning as Congressional lawmakers planned to vote Friday on another $2 billion in potential funding for the popular program. The rapid action is due to "Cash For Clunkers Suspended" rumors flying around the Web.
This means that car buyers hoping to visit the car lot this weekend to trade-in their old car for a $4,500 or $3,500 Clunkers credit should be able to participate in the program.
Thursday afternoon the government announced that the program was being suspended at midnight because most of the $1 billion allocated was in danger of being used up. The fear was that dealers taking clunker trades wouldn't be reimbursed.
But Friday morning lawmakers scrambled to keep the wildly successful program alive. Many dealers had invested in clunkers advertising and it was feared that a hiatus would kill the momentum. Stay tuned, as Edmunds Daily and AutoObserver will continue to bring updates on the program.
As reports swirl that the U.S. government is suspending the wildly popular Cash For Clunkers program (aka CARS) at midnight on Thursday -- under fears the $1 billion in funding may not be enough to cover the backlog of sales already completed under the program -- White House officials claim they are seeking ways to keep the program running.
According to representatives from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), they have been contacted by Department of Transportation (DOT) administrators to alert them that sales not completed by midnight Thursday may not be honored under the program. According to the Associated Press, White House officials had released a statement saying that "consumers should have confidence that transactions under the program that have already taken place would be honored."
Complicating the funding issues is the scheduled Congressional summer break, as the U.S. House was set to adjourn on Friday for its annual month-long summer recess. Edmunds Daily and our industry news experts at AutoObserver will continue to track the progress of the program, posting more details as they become available.
Edmunds AutoObserver is reporting that the Department of Transportation is expected to make an announcement as soon as this evening regarding the status of the so-called Cash for Clunkers program, and how close the program is to running out of its $1 billion allocation -- if it hasn't already, as dealers and dealer organizations believe it has.
The DOT could announce the program has run out of money completely or could suspend it temporarily while deals in the pipeline are completed and an assessment is made of how much has been spent, Washington sources told Edmunds' AutoObserver.com.
A DOT spokesman said no announcement is yet scheduled, but if an announcement is made, it would be posted on the website for the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). From the start, the program called for a Nov. 1 expiration or the depletion of the $1 billion in funding. It is clear the program will run out long before Nov. 1 and could run out in a matter of days.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has decided to honor any Cash For Clunkers (aka CARS) deals made prior to July 24 that included any vehicles that qualified before the EPA modified its combined mpg numbers.
The EPA published new combined mpg numbers on July 24, knocking 78 vehicles out of contention for the CARS program while making 86 new models eligible. The DOT has stated that it will not honor any Cash For Clunkers deals completed after July 24 that include those 78 vehicles, but all of the 86 new models added will continue to qualify. Check out AutoObserver for the latest comments from the DOT.
The EPA's last minute changes to their MPG ratings on Thursday night, affected the eligibility of about 100 vehicles in the Car Allowance Rebate System (aka Cash for Clunkers). Consumers who bought a vehicle based on the older ratings were understandably upset that they no longer qualified for the government credit. The U.S. Department of Transportation is expected to make a decision by the end of today on how to handle transactions rendered ineligible by the old EPA numbers.
We will update our site as soon as more information is available.
Roush Performance Products has recalled 81of its 2010 Ford Mustangs because of a problem with the sport brake kit option that could lead to brake failure.
According to NHTSA, "the caliper anchor plate mounting bolts may become loose or dislodged during operation," and this could lead to "loss of stopping performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash." Affected models include the Roush 427R Mustang, Roush Stage 1 Mustang and Roush Stage 2 Mustang.
Roush will repair the vehicles free of charge. Owners may contact the company for more information at 866-307-6788. You may also visit Safercar.gov for more details, referencing recall number 09V290000.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: Details of 2010 Acura RDX Revealed The Acura RDX has been redesigned for 2010. The most prominent cosmetic change is the addition of the Acura's corporate grill and new alloy wheels. Pricing starts at $32,520 for the new front wheel drive model. Follow the link for more photos and details.
AutoObserver: The Inconvenient Truth About "Cash for Clunkers" There is still a fair amount of debate on whether or not Cash for Clunkers is the shot in arm that the auto industry needs to get back on its feet. There are great deals out there for consumers who qualify. But how much does this cost us as taxpayers? Are we funding something that people would ordinarily do? Follow the link for the answer.
The Car Allowance Rebate System (aka Cash for Clunkers) stumbled out of the starting gate yesterday, due to a last minute refresh of the eligible mpg ratings. When we broke the story yesterday, the EPA had not commented on how many vehicles were affected.
This morning the EPA put out a press release stating that "In support of the new CARS program, the government conducted a month-long quality assurance and quality control effort regarding fuel economy calculations on more than 30,000 vehicle model types spanning the past 25 years."
According to the EPA, there were roughly an equal number of vehicles that became eligible as those that were no longer eligible. Of the 30,000 vehicles they looked into, the eligibility for about 100 vehicles was affected. We don't fault the EPA for wanting to have the most accurate records possible, but it would have been extremely helpful to give consumers a heads up that the data was changing -- before the program kicked off. See the text of the release after the jump.
We're still working to clarify the details, but it appears that the EPA has "refreshed" its combined MPG ratings of some older cars, meaning that vehicles that appeared to qualify last week for the federal Cash For Clunkers program (aka CARS) no longer qualify.
Edmunds learned of these changes over the weekend from consumers who had checked last Thursday that the vehicle they planned to trade in under the Cash For Clunkers program met the minimum mileage rating (an EPA combined rating of 18 mpg or less). When shopping for a new vehicle over the weekend, they learned they no longer qualified.
Edmunds is currently reviewing the more than 32,000 vehicles affected to determine the extent of the changes. Two examples are below, and we'll be providing updates on this seemingly ill-timed "refresh" as more details become available.
1993 Camry Wagon V6 original EPA combined rating: 18 MPG / "Refreshed" rating: 19 MPG 1992 SAAB 900S Auto original EPA combined rating: 18 MPG / "Refreshed" rating: 19 MPG
The rules for Cash for Clunkers (aka CARS or C4C) were released today, and early feedback is mostly from dealers who are reporting long web-waits to get registered via NHTSA's online process. Following Chrysler and BMW, one of the latest promos to come out in relation to C4C is from Toyota, who would like to remind everyone that 25 Toyota models (including the whole Scion lineup, every Toyota passenger car, most of their trucks and even several Lexus models) are qualifying purchases under the program.
With the official rules of Clunkers just being made available this morning, and the program officially kicking off next Monday (July 27), all parties involved are expected to be fully up to steam by next weekend. Clarified in the 136-page document is the fact that you can lease a car under the program, but that the minimum lease term is five years (60 months). To help you take advantage of the program, a number of Toyota models will be eligible for special 60-month leases, and we checked out some numbers after the jump.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere
Green Car Advisor: Mitsubish Debuts Electric Car in Tokyo, Aims for World Domination Mitsubishi delivered 50 of its i-MiEV electric cars to government and utility companies today, signaling the start of its attempt to become the biggest producer of electric vehicles. Mitsu expects to sell 1,400 MiEVs through next March, at which point the company will ramp up production to meet local, then global customer demand. Coincidentally, Subaru also launched their little electric wonder, the Stella EV, today, though on a much smaller scale. Subaru doesn't have big production plans for the Stella.
Auto Observer: New Suit at Toyota Looking to Revive the Once Dominant Brand Toyota's new boss of North American Operations, Yoshimi Inaba, has his work cut out. Mr. I has been charged with making the company profitable, which will ostensibly be achieved by bringing out some exciting new vehicles (not just for Toyota but especially for the stagnant Scion brand) and molding a stronger identity for Lexus.
Auto Observer: Smaller Engines in Larger and Luxury Brand Vehicles on the Rise Smaller engines are finding their way into larger and luxury-branded cars, as automakers look to find ways to improve fuel mileage among their offerings. Lexus recently rolled out the HS 250h hybrid, which uses the Camry hybrid's powertrain, Audi recently announced that a four-cylinder (turbocharged, thankfully) version of the A5 luxury coupe is due, and Buick's new 2010 LaCrosse will be available with an inline four under its big hood. Lastly, Mercedes-Benz and BMW are reportedly working on three-cylinder engines.
InsideLIne News: Chevrolet Introduces Transformer's Edition Camaro at Comic Book Convention At the Comic Book Convention in San Diego, Chevrolet announced on Wednesday that a Transformers special edition of the Camaro is now available. For $995, buyers of either the LT V6 or SS V8 models can get the full Bumblebee treatment, complete with yellow paint, black stripes and of course enough Autobot emblems to please your inner 14-year old.
This morning the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released the rules surrounding the much anticipated Cash for Clunkers program, what NHTSA has labeled the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). The program will officially kick off on Monday, July 27 with a shindig at NHTSA's headquarters, featuring Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and a gaggle of fuel efficient vehicles from a number of manufacturers.
The CARS rules document is 136 pages long so it'll take us and most dealers a little time to get through all the details, but we'll be bringing you a summation of the salient points as soon as possible. All the major requirements spelled out on our Cash for Clunkers page seem intact, with the majority of the details going to describe the submission process for dealers and what happens to your old car after you trade it in. There's been a number of matching incentive programs from manufacturers, including promotions from Chrysler and BMW.
Check back in soon for an in-depth analysis of the final CARS rules.
The federal government's automotive task force has declared that the new General Motors and Chrysler, which have emerged from bankruptcy, are ready to stand on their own. Yesterday, new task force head Ron Bloom announced that the feds are withdrawing the government-backed warranty guarantees on new vehicles sold by GM and Chrysler. Those guarantees were designed to make potential buyers feel secure about pulling the trigger while the two companies reorganized.
"With the successful emergence of the new companies, consumers can now feel assured that the companies have the financial wherewithal to meet their warranty commitments on a continuing basis," Bloom told a House Judiciary subcommittee.
The Obama administration invested $641 million in the warranty program, all of which has been returned to the Treasury -- with interest. GM says it never actually needed to use that money, and Chrysler doesn't comment on warranty figures, according to Automotive News.
Chrysler has announced a new "Double CA$H For Your Old Car" incentive program that allows car shoppers to receive up to $4,500 toward the purchase of eligible Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles.
The program is open to customers purchasing most new 2009 vehicles. Those shoppers who have trade-ins that qualify for the U.S. government's CARS (aka Cash For Clunkers) program stand to receive even bigger savings, since both the CARS and Chrysler programs may be combined to generate incentives of up to $9,000.
Chrysler's program begins on July 23, 2009. Buyers may choose between two options: up to $4,500 in cash or 0 percent financing for 72 months through GMAC Financial Services. These incentives are set to continue through August 31, 2009.
Note that the CARS program is slated to begin on July 24, 2009. This program allows buyers to receive a credit of either $3,500 or $4,500 on certain gas-guzzling trade-ins.
Smeared greasepaint reveals how curtain airbags can protect a driver's head from hitting hard surfaces.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) usually tests 4-door family cars, but recently responded to public demand by conducting front, side, and rear tests of 2009 coupes, including the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, and Scion tC, all small models, plus the midsize Volvo C30. The 2009 Ford Focus and 2009 Volvo C30 took top honors.
In the side-impact test, which simulates being struck by a pickup or SUV, all five cars were judged "Good" or "Acceptable. Notably, while the other four coupes were rated "Good" in the frontal offset sets, the Scion tC was rated only acceptable.
In an effort to increase communication and involvement with the buying public, General Motors announced its new "Tell Fritz" Web site. The Fritz in question is company President and CEO Fritz Henderson, who will "review and respond to input every day" from consumers and no-doubt an endless supply of GM fan boys. In addition to "Tell Fritz," which is featured on the GM Reinvention
site, Henderson intends to further keep in touch with consumers by "going on the road" every month in order to "listen to the questions, ideas and concerns of the people who matter most." The GM FastLane blog
is another way.
These transparency and outreach moves are seen as a way to change the notion that GM executives exist in a Detroit bubble oblivious to a changing market and diverse consumer tastes. Whether a site presumably occupied by so many tried-and-true devotees can do that remains to be seen, but the effort is commendable nevertheless.
We don't cover commercial vehicles very often, as model changes are so infrequent they operate based on Jupiter years. There are rocks younger than the Econoline. But the 2010 Ford Transit Connect is a radically different vehicle that could revolutionize the way businesses (small and big alike) go about their transportation needs.
I was invited by Ford to travel around Beverly Hills yesterday in a Transit Connect, paying visits to three small business with different transport needs -- West Hollywood Picture Framing, Treefrogs florists and event planning, and Hansen's Cakes. The new Ford Work Solutions technologies were also showcased, and I must say, they are impressive and seem useful. Fun pictures and fascinating information to follow.
Today the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration (NHTSA) issued a recall for all 2008 BMW 1 Series and 3 Series cars. Incorrect crimp connectors may have been used on the side airbag and seat belt tensioner wiring in the front seat. This could result in the airbag or seat belt failing to act when needed, increasing the injury risk. Side impact crashes are more common than frontal crashes.
BMW hasn't issued a plan for the recall yet, but owners should call BMW at 1-800-831-1117. The campaign ID number is 09V257000, and owners can also contact the NHTSA Safety Hotline at at 1-888-327-4236 or go to Safercar.gov.
Carmakers are turning to a new crop of low rolling resistance (LRR) tires as a way to boost fuel economy and meet the newly adopted CAFE
standards.
To help consumers who are thinking of refitting their cars with these tires, the Department of Transportation recently proposed a new tire rating system focused on fuel economy and greenhouse gases. The label would be affixed to replacement tires sold at retail, along with a rating of its fuel economy, wet-weather performance, and tread durability. Critics charge that low resistance tires compromise performance for fuel efficiency.
Over the next few years, you'll see more automakers include LRR tires as standard equipment on their vehicles, and a number of LRR tires are already on the market, including the new Michelin Energy Saver A/S (left). Michelin claims that it is one of the most fuel efficient all-season tires in its class, and a new compound and structure drastically improves its wet weather and braking performance.
Its competitors include the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max and Bridgestone Ecopia EP100. Though the Ecopia EP100 is classified as a summer tire, Bridgestone claims that its new tire compound offers low rolling resistance, while maintaining wet traction.
Though we've provided an impressive research page on the CARS Program (aka Cash for Clunkers), which includes lists of eligible trades and qualifying purchases, the Clunkers frenzy has prompted many automakers to set up some slick pages on their own web sites in an effort to capitalize on the buzz. Some dealerships have even jumped the gun, and began offering to honor the program before its official start day of July 24, 2009.
Though it may seem tempting to get ahead of the curve, we recommend waiting until the 24th. Take this time to research and truly find the right car for you.
After the jump, we've gathered a list of automaker sites featuring CARS information pages. For instance, if you're interested in a Honda, click on their link, and you'll see which of their models are eligible. Some automakers like Ford and GM, let you input your current vehicle's information to see if it will qualify for the program.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Inside Line News: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster Pricing Announced Nissan's newest convertible will retail for $100 more than the outgoing 350Z. The 370Z Roaster will be offered in four trim levels, and can reach upwards of $42,500 for the Touring model with the seven-speed automatic transmission.
Green Car Advisor: Honda CR-Z Hybrid Should Reach U.S. Shores Next Year Honda's newest hybrids will be making their way to Japanese showrooms in February 2010. In the U.S. however, only the sporty, three-door CR-Z hybrid will be sold later that year. Honda currently has no plans to bring a hybrid Fit to the U.S.
Auto Observer: GM's Lutz Already Making 'Em Nuts Bob Lutz's recent comments on the future of the Pontiac G8 have caused quite a stir at General Motors. But this comment may have deeper implications in terms of which direction the new GM is headed.
BMW is in the process of recalling model year 2009 X5 and model year 2009 X6 models for potentially defective rear brake discs. The discs may not have been manufactured to proper specification, which could result in reduced braking performance at the affected wheel(s). In extreme cases, the disc(s) could break, which obviously would increase stopping distance in an emergency situation, potentially resulting in a crash.
Affected vehicles: 2009 BMW X5, 2009 BMW X6
Recall Campaign Number: 09V255000
Though as of yet there is no remedy action, we expect that to be forthcoming and owners may contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117
Volkswagen is recalling 14,416 Touaregs from model years 2007 through 2009. The fastening struts on the roof edge spoiler can crack, causing the spoiler to become loose and possibly detach from the vehicle without warning even though the spoiler may initially seem secure. Dealers will install reinforcement wedges to the roof edge spoiler resulting free of charge.
The recall is No. 66D6/S5. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
General Motors emerged today from a 6-week bankruptcy process that it hopes will allow it to return to profitability. GM President and CEO Fritz Henderson claimed that today marks the "beginning of a new company", focusing on three core values: Customers, Cars and Culture.
Using what Henderson called a leaner and healthier dealer network, GM's president claimed it will put the customer first through an excellent sales and service experience, and will embrace new technologies to help consumers get the best deal on cars, including using ebay online tools.
On the product front, Henderson announced that GM will offer 10 new models in the next 18 months, and will work to provide the efficient and quality vehicles that consumers are seeking. The "culture" aspect of the new GM relates to the internal corporate structure. On that front, GM plans to cut 35% of its U.S. executive staff, and eliminate 20% of salaried U.S. positions by the end of 2010.
"Business as usual is over at General Motors," Henderson said, claiming he's let the entire company know that it needs to "be prepared to change, and fast." For more info on GM's rebirth, check out our extensive coverage on AutoObserver.
With only two weeks left before the Cash for Clunkers (aka C.A.R.S.) program is launched, providing up to $4,500 for gas guzzling trade-ins, many dealers are offering to give car buyers the federal credit right now.
Hyundai Motor Corp. and many independant dealers are telling buyers they will honor the program right now, saying they well get the money from the government later. But NTHSA, which is overseeing the environmental/stimulus package, says "not so fast." If dealers begin doling out money now, and try to reclaim it from the government later, the total amount spent might overshoot the available funds.
A U.S. bankruptcy judge has approved General Motors' plan to sell its "good" assets to a new company and leave "bad" assets with the old one, paving the way for the automaker to emerge from bankruptcy proceedings. The approved sale creates a new entity to be called General Motors Company that will be funded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
The new GM's common stock will be owned by the Treasury (60.8 percent), UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust (17.5 percent), the federal Canadian and provincial Ontario governments (11.7) and the old GM (10 percent). The old GM and UAW Retirees will hold warrants that are exercisable for 15 percent and 2.5 percent of the interests in the new GM, respectively.
The remaining brands will be Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC. The old GM will be known as Motors Liquidation Company retaining assets that will be wound down or sold, including Pontiac (to be discontinued by year-end), Hummer (being sold), and Saturn (being sold).
Independence Day weekend means dealers are trying to move older vehicle inventory off their lots to make room for new models. This year, dealers are doubly pressed to move inventory because of months of sluggish car sales. So this 4th of July is a great time to bargain hunt.
Expect to find specials everywhere you look, but here are three of note:
Hyundai has a new Gas Lock program on most models bought or leased through August 31st. It guaranties $1.49/gallon regular fuel for your next 12,000 miles.
Not to be outdone, Suzuki is offering Free Gas for Summer on the Suzuki SX4 sedan or crossover. Manual transmission customers get an extra $2,000.
GM's 72-hour sale is underway, with 0% for 72 months finanancing on many of their 2009 models and 60-month 0% financing on the rest. Must take delivery by July 6th.
Make sure to check our Incentives and Rebates page to find out all the incentives you qualify for. Often, you'll have to choose between the lowest financing, cash back, and/or the gas programs. Do the math to figure out what's best for you.
Ford Motor Company announced a recall of the 2009 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs for an improperly adjusted brake lamp switch. An estimated 1,357 vehicles are thought to have been affected. According to NHTSA's recall summary, "this may result in a delay in brake stoplamp illumination when the brake pedal is depressed. In situations of very mild brake application, the brake stoplamps may not illuminate."
All Ford and Lincoln dealers will adjust the stoplamps switch free of charge. Owners with the affected vehicles can get more details from a few sources: the Ford Customer Relationship Center can be reached at (866) 436-7332 or at ownerconnection.com, the National Highway Traffic Administration's vehicle safety hotline (888) 327-4326, and safercar.gov. For reference, this is Ford recall NO.09C09.
Run-flat tires are a mixed blessing, for all the reasons listed here
. Some owners of Michelin's PAX run-flats that came with the "Technology Package" on Honda Odyssey Touring and Acura RL models certainly didn't like them. They filed a class-action lawsuit, contending that Michelin and Honda failed to disclose that the run-flat tire systems lasted half as long as radial tires and that the tires are expensive to repair and replace.
Yesterday a U.S. District Court judge in Maryland agreed, and the two companies will now have to pay plaintiffs between $2,000 and $5,000 as compensation for replaced tires. Additionally, the companies will give plaintiffs a $110 rebate on purchases of new tire or tire repair kits, or a $300 rebate on the purchase of a new Odyssey or RL. Michelin also chipped in a 3-year/36,000 mile extended warranty on the tires.
The total cash payout to the plaintiffs will be $83,000. The total that the companies will have to pay to the attorneys for the plaintiffs? $3 million.
Manufacturers are pulling out all the stops as Cash for Clunkers (aka CARS) gets ready to go live on July 23. Suzuki is no exception, and like Hyundai, has announced a free-fuel based promo. The Suzuki "Free Gas for the Summer" event kicks off today (July 1) and runs through August 31.
The promotion will apply to the purchase of a new Suzuki SX4 sedan or crossover. Qualified buyers will get a pre-paid gas card, valued at $270 or $290, depending on the model. Suzuki estimates this fuel credit should last about three months, or until the end of the summer. In addition to the free gas, consumers who opt for a manual transmission will be eligible for a $2,000 customer cash bonus.
More details will be available at your local dealership or on Suzuki's website.
Holidays mean specials on new cars. And what could be more patriotic during Independence Day weekend than buying an American car? From today through July 6, GM is offering 0 percent financing for up to 72 months for qualified buyers on select 2009 and 2010 vehicles in dealer stock, including Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups; Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL; Chevrolet Impala; and the Pontiac models: Vibe, G3, G5, G6 and G8, Solstice and more.
Most other vehicles, such as the Chevy Malibu Hybrid, will have reduced rate financing of 0 percent for up to 60 months, instead. Note that you have to take delivery by July 6 according to the current offer. For details on all GM offers and models, see here.
The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) has announced that July 23, 2009 is the day for its final ruling on the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS; aka Cash for Clunkers). NHTSA was given 30 days from when President Obama signed the bill into law, to hammer out all the details of the program.
Although the CARS bill initially stated that vehicle purchases made after July 1 would be eligible for a credit, NHTSA is recommending that both dealers and consumers wait until the July 23 rollout date, when all the CARS resources have been put in place.
In the meantime, you can brush up on the details of the CARS program on their official website, or better yet, follow the link to our Cash for Clunkers page. There you'll be able to see a list of eligible vehicles, and see a list of frequently asked- and updated- questions.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Green Car Advisor: Chrysler to Build Four Versions of Fiat 500 in U.S. Automotive News is reporting that the Italian automaker Fiat will bring its Fiat 500 subcompact vehicle to the United States under the Chrysler nameplate. Fiat, now a 20 percent owner of Chrysler, expects to have the car stateside in about 18 months. It will be offered in four styles plus a possible SUV configuration for the U.S. market.
Auto Observer: "Good" GM May Not Be All That Good As General Motors hurries through its bankruptcy proceedings, analysts have questioned the viability of the core brands that are left in the wake of their restructuring. The fate of GM will be largely dependent on the success of Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC. But are these remaining brands ready to provide a solid foundation on which to build a better company? Regardless of the where the company stands in its restructuring process, GM has pledged to honor any product-liability claims made prior to the bankruptcy filing.
Inside Line: 2010 Jaguar XF Supercharged Makes Debut, Priced at $68,000 Jaguar XF buyers who are looking for more power, but feel that the XFR is a bit much, now have another option. The 2010 XF supercharged debuted Monday, and commands an $18,000 premium over the base XF. Follow the link for more details on the XF Supercharged and the XFR.
Inside Line: Launched -- 2010 Kia Denim Soul In honor of the late, lovely Farrah Fawcett -- who wore denim better than anyone on the planet -- we're noting the launch of a new, special-edition Kia: the Denim Soul.
Due to appear in showrooms sometime in September, the 2010 GMC Terrain will start at $24,995 (including destination). That'll get you a two-wheel-drive SLE powered by a direct-injected, 182-hp, 2.4-liter inline four that's paired with a six-speed automatic. That powertrain offers impressive fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg city, 32 mpg highway and 26 mpg combined. Another eye-opener is the base Terrain's generous standard features list, which includes a rear-view camera and a six-speaker audio system with satellite radio and a USB jack.
Stepping up to the SLT trim will run you five grand more ($29,995) and gets you a 264-hp, direct-injected, 3.0-liter V6, a power sunroof, a power liftgate, extra chrome trim, leather seating and a Pioneer audio system.
All-wheel-drive versions of the Terrain will run $1,750 more. For more on the Terrain, see this article on our Inside Line sister site.
That's what NHTSA told us when they called us. They want to warn consumers not to fall for the scammers taking advantage of the new Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS, also known as the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save, or in the vernacular, Cash for Clunkers or C4C).
President Obama hasn't even signed the bill yet, but already there are Web sites that promise to shepherd you through the system. They ask for personal information, including your email address and sometimes require you to fill out a credit application!
Market research company J.D. Power and Associates released the results of its annual Initial Quality Study today. The automotive industry as a whole improved its average results (108 defects per 100 vehicles) by 8 percent from a year ago, which is better than the typical 6-percent year-to-year improvement. This is impressive given the longer amount of time vehicles have remained on dealer lots in the past year.
"The longer a vehicle sits on a lot, the more defects typically arise," said Dave Sargent, J.D. Power's vice president of automotive research. "But despite that, the industry showed a tremendous rate of improvement in initial quality."
The study showed a narrowing gap in initial quality between domestic and foreign automakers. Notably, Cadillac jumped from 10th to third in overall brand ranking. Other improvements came from Suzuki (from 32nd to ninth) and Hyundai (13th to fourth), while Infiniti dropped from second to 11th and Jaguar from ninth to 29th. Amongst specific models, Toyota group netted the most top scores of any automaker, with the low-volume Lexus LX 570 luxury SUV suffering the fewest problems of any other model on sale (52 problems per 100 vehicles).
The Initial Quality Study is based on surveys sent to new vehicle owners. It notes problems experienced within 90 days of ownership, including design-related problems, defects and malfunctions. In other words, a faulty transmission is equal to an owner disliking the cupholder placement.
The full results (including charts) can be found after the jump. For more analysis, see Edmunds AutoObserver.
Volvo has issued a recall for 17,614 S80, V70 and XC70 vehicles produced in model years 2008 and 2009, due to a potential cooling fan problem. The cooling fans in these vehicles may stop working; this malfunction is the result of a software programming error. Possible consequences include compromised air conditioning performance, a rapid increase in engine coolant temperature and engine failure.
The fan control modules will be replaced by dealers free of charge, and the recall is expected to begin in July 2009. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. They may also visit safercar.gov for more details, referencing NHSTA Campaign Number 09V218000.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Inside Line News: Glassroof 'Stang is Back for 2010 C'mon, we can't just talk about all doom and gloom in the auto industry these days. Brighten up your summer a bit and go check out the glass roof option on the new 2010 Mustang. As close as you can get to the joy of open-air motoring without a convertible top, the UV resistant glass roof is available across the Mustang lineup.
Auto Observer: GM on the Fritz General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson dishes about all things GM in this wide ranging web-chat that covers everything from the latest bankruptcy news to executive pay, clunkers, and Saab's next chapter.
Inside Line: Subaru's Electric Stella Whether we'll be ready or not, electric cars are coming. IL's man in Japan Peter Lyon takes a drive in Subaru's upcoming domestic-market Stella, and chats about the issues that will dominate electric car adoption: cost, cruising range, and top speed.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Green Car Advisor: Plug-In Locator Provides Broad Look at Upcoming Vehicles A few electrical vehicles have begun to make their way into the market, with many more still in development. Plug in America knows how difficult it can be to keep up with the news of all the upcoming vehicles, so it created a site to track the progress of over 40 plug-in vehicles from the various automakers.
Auto Observer: In Trucks, Bare-Knuckles Marketing Continues There was a time when people would buy trucks not because they needed them, but because they were "cool". According to a recent article by Auto Observer, this is no longer the case. In fact, the opposite has happened. The pickup truck market is seeing a decline in sales and the "lifestyle" buyers have moved on to other vehicles. As a result, automakers are now focusing their efforts on the core consumer, and highlighting the features and durability of their trucks.
Inside Line: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox First Drive The second generation Chevrolet Equinox has been redesigned for 2010. It receives updated styling, a more competitive price, and will be available with a 4-cylinder engine capable of 32 mpg on the highway. Follow the link for more details and our early impressions.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Treasury Department passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which included a provision allowing taxpayers who buy a new vehicle to deduct state or local sales (or excise) taxes paid on the purchase. Yesterday, it announced that new vehicle purchases made in states without a sales or excise tax - such as Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon - will also qualify for the deduction. Taxpayers in these states can deduct other fees or taxes imposed by the state or local government that are based on the vehicle's sales price or as a per-unit fee.
Many consumers focus on the purchase price of a car, forgetting that tax on a such a large purchase amounts to a large chunk of change. So this latest tax development is good news for vehicle buyers in those states who were sitting on the sidelines. Uncle Sam is happy to put some cash back in the taxpayer's pocket (what the heck, they're putting money into everyone else's, too), but the primarily purpose of the ruling is to benefit the auto industry, which needs all the help it can get to boost new car sales.
A Supreme Court ruling late yesterday has cleared the way for Fiat to purchase the majority of Chrysler's assets, which should allow the new company to exit bankruptcy. The remade automaker got another judicial boost yesterday when a New York bankruptcy court allowed Chrysler to shut down the 789 dealers it had earmarked for closure, making yesterday their last official day of business.
The sale of Chrysler's assets to Fiat had been temporarily put on hold when the Supreme Court stayed the sale on Monday to review an appeal from three Indiana state pension and construction funds, which hold $42.5 million of $6.9 billion in Chrysler secured loans. The Supreme Court's timely review and approval of the lower bankruptcy court's decision could bode well for General Motors, which also recently declared bankruptcy and hopes to move through the Chapter 11 process quickly.
Fiat is expected to finalize the deal with Chrysler in short order, though the unprecedentedly swift travel through Chapter 11 reorganization and sale to Italy's largest automaker is no guarantee that the ailing Detroit automaker will thrive or even survive. Fiat has promised to rejuvenate the Chrysler brand with fuel-efficient engine technology and a new lineup of small and efficient cars.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere
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Green Car Advisor: GM's Lutz Defends Muscle Cars and Chevy Volt Bob Lutz, General Motor's vice chairman, was interviewed recently by the Washington post. Green Car advisor summed up the lengthy interview and highlighted many key points. Among the talking points is an admission that GM underestimated the importance of the Toyota Prius, which ultimately led to the creation of the Chevrolet Volt. Follow the link to see why Lutz believes Americans want "V8 engines and sexy styling."
Auto Observer: GM to End Medium-Duty Truck Production General Motors announced Monday that it will cease production of the GMC TopKick and the Chevrolet Kodiak medium duty trucks. GM once valued its commercial truck operations at $1 billion, but was unable to find a buyer as market conditions changed.
Straightline: Is "Enform" the Next OnStar? Lexus will debut its new vehicle-based telematics system on the upcoming HS250h. This OnStar-like service will offer many high-tech features such as: stolen vehicle locator, automatic crash notification, and the ability to speak with an operator to input a destination on your navigation system. Will Toyota's backing make it more successful than GM's OnStar? How does it compare to Ford's Sync? Follow the link to get all the details.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Green Car Advisor: Toyota to Begin Leasing Plug-in Prius Hybrids Toyota announced that they will begin leasing a plug-in version of their wildly popular Prius Hybrid before the end of the year. Worldwide, there will only be 500 initial examples available, with 150 coming to the U.S. Sadly, these leases are intended primarily for government and corporate use. The plug-in Prius will utilize more expensive and efficient lithium-ion batteries than can be charged via a standard household outlet.
Straightline: Pricing Announced for the 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible The drop-top version of Infiniti's G37 will set you back a cool $44,715 for the base model -- about $7,000 more than the standard coupe variant. Like most Infiniti/Nissan products, options are bundled in large, expensive and inflexible packages, so look for prices to climb quickly if you want a few added features.
It's easy to be skeptical about cars from a rental fleet because you don't know how much abuse they've suffered under their multiple drivers. And they often come without of a lot of desirable options. When money's tight, though (and when isn't it?), these vehicles can be real bargains.
Roger Penske's Automotive Group has struck a tentative agreement with GM to purchase -- lock stock and barrel -- the auto giant's Saturn division. This means that Penske will "take over the brands, trademarks, service and parts operations and distribution operations related to the Saturn." In an Edmunds-exclusive interview with AutoObserver's Michelle Krebs, Penske explained details of the plan.
Immediate product changes call for dropping the Sky roadster, leaving the Aura, Vue and Outlook as the only showroom offerings. Penske, looking to make Saturn a global automotive company, understandably would like more vehicles for the brand. Down the road, the dealership mogul will supposedly strike deals with GM and Renault to purchase other vehicles in order to beef up the Saturn lineup.
Though the deal is tentative at this point, it looks very likely to happen. The price was not disclosed though the deal is said to preserve about 13,000 jobs.
In the midst of June gloom, Volvo, Ford and Chrysler are trying to brighten their sales with special incentives.
Volvo: The Swedish automaker will offer extended warranty coverage with its Safe + Sound Coverage Plan on all its vehicles except the new XC60 SUV. It runs from June 2 to 30 and includes: 5 year, 60,000-mile warranty (versus 4 years, 50,000) 5 years complimentary factory scheduled maintenance (versus 3 years miles) 5 years of roadside assistance (versus 4 years) 5 years Wear & Tear Coverage (includes free replacement of wiper blades and brake pads and rotors).
Ford: The Blue Oval's Drive the Ford Difference is offering 0-percent financing and three months worth of payments on all its 2009 Ford, Mercury and Lincoln vehicles (other than hybrids and the Shelby GT500). There are smaller incentives available on 2010 models, excluding the redesigned Mustang. Also, Ford will donate $20 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure every time a customer test drives a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury.
Chrysler: From June 2 to July 1, Chrysler will offer 0-percent financing for 60 months through GMAC on select 2009 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles or up to $4,000 cash. Current Chrysler Group vehicle owners are eligible for $1,000 on most 2008 and 2009 vehicles. There's a further $1,000 available to qualified members of participating credit unions.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Inside Line: Hummer Brand Finds Buyer, Says General Motors The Hummer brand has been teetering on the edge of elimination for some time now. But GM President and CEO Fritz Henderson has announced that they have found a potential buyer for Hummer. If this deal goes through, it could secure over 3,000 U.S. jobs.
Auto Observer: Chrysler Begins Emerging From Bankruptcy A New York City bankruptcy court has approved the sale of Chrysler's assets to a group led by Italy's Fiat. Judge Arthur Gonzalez was firm in his decision, and rejected any opposing argument on the grounds that it was the only alternative to "immediate liquidation" of Chrysler. However, the struggling automaker emerged from bankruptcy in record time and according to President Obama, has sold more cars in May than it did in April. Auto observer has a percentage breakdown of Chrysler's new stakeholders.
In a series of press conferences today, President Obama and GM's CEO Fritz Henderson released details on GM's earlier filing for Chapter 11
bankruptcy protection.
Saying, "give us another chance," Henderson promised that the bankruptcy filing would be "the start of a new and better GM." He predicted that the restructuring process would take from 60 to 90 days. GM has launched its own site to help keep the public informed of its latest efforts and promotions.
Henderson was preceded by President Barack Obama who essentially said that Chrysler's apparent reemergence from bankruptcy bodes well for GM's long term success. He noted that after entering Chapter 11, Chrysler sold more cars in May than in April. However, he didn't mention that most of those sales were at fire sale prices.
Straightline GM Slashes Prices for All-New 2010 Cadillac SRX When the completely redesigned 2010 Cadillac SRX arrives in showrooms this summer it will bare a price tag that's $7,000 cheaper than the car it replaces. With a price tag of $34,155, the new, smaller SRX is now in the ballpark of the surprisingly afordable Mercedes-Benz GLK350.
Karl on Cars Death or Euthanasia? Cars I Won't Be Missing Editor in Chief Karl Brauer examines the many models (and makes) that'll soon be sent to the big junkyard in the sky -- and how he won't be attending their funeral.
Edmunds.com Is a Higher Gas Tax the Better Way to Lower Fuel Consumption? Once only a passing discussion on The West Wing and within environmentalist circles, raising the national gasoline tax to curb fuel consumption is a now growing debate throughout the country ... and the Edmunds blogosphere.
The Lotus Elise/Exige and Tesla Roadster (which share some platform components) have been hit by recalls for potentially under-torqued ("not tightened-up all the way", for you non-gearheads) rear hub flange bolts. Should they loosen up enough, that could cause "a degradation in vehicle handling and a rubbing noise from the rear of the vehicle." If not addressed promptly, "the driver could lose control and a crash could result."
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Inside Line: 2010 Lexus HS 250h First Drive and Video Buyers looking for a more luxurious hybrid now have one more to choose from. Inside Line recently drove the newest addition to Lexus' growing hybrid lineup. The 2010 Lexus HS 250h will be more fuel efficient than its Lexus hybrid siblings, while remaining just as high tech and easy to drive. For those of you that may think this is a rebadged Prius, Lexus engineers are quick to point out that the HS 250h shares no body panels or suspension components with the 2010 Toyota Prius.
Auto Observer: Feds' New MPG Mandate May Collide With Buyer Preferences The Obama administration wants automakers to build more fuel efficient vehicles, but this may be at odds with what the American people want to buy. Auto Observer took a hard look at the sales charts and noticed that of the 100 most-purchased vehicles in the U.S., only 17 could comply with the new fuel-economy standards. They also try to make sense of how the EPA and CAFE mpg numbers vary.
Edmunds Tips & Advice: How Much Car Can You Afford? We all would like to drive around in a brand new, fully loaded, vehicle. But how much can we realistically afford? In this time of economic hardship, we must be extra careful in how we budget our money. By inputting some basic information, this new calculator can help you arrive at an estimated price range in which you should shop. Senior Features Editor Joanne Helperin, breaks down the details on how this tool works.
Proving that recalls aren't just a home team occurrence, recalls were recently issued for VW and Nissan products.
Nearly 26,000 2006 to 2009 Jettas (equipped with the 2.0T engine) were tagged for potentially faulty driveshaft screws, which could loosen up and cause the driveshaft to detach from the gearbox.
Over at the Nissan camp, it's a bit more involved -- nearly 363,000 2003 to 2007 Muranos are being summoned for potential separation of the intake ducting, which could cause the engine to stall out. The cause is described as "separation due to the premature aging of the material...which causes excessive shrinking." The latter effect is enough to give George Costanza nightmares.
Hyundai recently announced a new incentive program that gives customers the option to receive their cash back through a VISA debit card. This program began on May 15, and is good until June 30, 2009.
Earlier this year, Hyundai introduced their Assurance program to protect car buyers who might lose their jobs in a troubled economy. The incentives package proved very successful and was later imitated by other automakers. It will be interesting to see if they are breaking new ground with this innovative debit card plan.
The customer cash will be deposited monthly on a debit card and works just like a VISA gift card.
This program can be helpful to consumers who already have a sizeable down payment. They can use the extra cash to pay for gas or help with their monthly payment. However, we expect that most consumers will prefer to have the customer cash included at the time of the purchase. It is important to have as much equity in the vehicle to offset its depreciation and keep you from being "upside down." In this way, if you need to trade it in, or sell it for cash, you will have more freedom for your next vehicle choice.
Here is a list of eligible models, and the amount of cash back you would receive:
Further proving that there's never been a better time to buy a new vehicle from recession-battered domestic automakers, Chrysler has announced zero-interest financing for 72 months on certain 2008 Chrysler
, Dodge
and Jeep
vehicles through Chrysler Financial
. This is on top of factory-to-consumer cash incentives
that the bankrupt automaker is already dangling to lure buyers into its showrooms.
The financing option is available through June 1, before Chrysler Financial is taken over by GMAC, and comes as Chrysler seeks to sell 2008 models before being merged with Italian automaker Fiat SpA.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Auto Observer: Parents Magazine, Edmunds.com Announce Best Family Cars What makes a good family car? According to a recent survey by Parents magazine and Edmunds.com, the key features are safety, fuel efficiency, price, and easy car seat installation. Which models fit that description? Follow the link to see our picks for the 15 best family cars.
Inside Line: Ford Announces Pricing on 2010 Lincoln MKS With EcoBoost Ford's new EcoBoost technology promises to deliver high horsepower without impacting fuel efficiency, but if the premium on the 2010 MKS is any indication, it won't come cheap. Consumers interested in the top of the line MKS, will have to shell out an additional $6,890 for the trim level that includes the EcoBoost engine. Follow the link to see what this brings the final price tag to. If you're curious as to how this engine performs, Inside Line drove the upcoming Lincoln MKT with the EcoBoost V6.
Green Car Advisor: Daimler and Tesla Announce Partnership to Make Electric Cars Daimler AG, parent company of Mercedes-Benz, is looking to expand into the electric car market and it's turned to Tesla to help to speed up the process. In this partnership, Daimler will have a 10 percent equity stake and a seat on Tesla's board of directors. Tesla will receive a substantial boost in cash, access to Daimler's parts bin and their expertise on mass producing a vehicle.
New upcoming Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards were expected to be announced today at a large White House gathering of political and industry players. The new National Fuel Efficiency Policy will set higher upcoming fuel economy standards for manufacturers, to be implemented on a shorter timetable beginning in 2012. At the same time, the new policy will eliminate the patchwork of fuel efficiency and emissions rules between federal agencies (DOT and EPA) and the group of 13 states (including California) that had hoped to set their own stricter emissions standards.
With Chrysler's recent announcement that it will close nearly a quarter of its dealerships, consumers might be wondering how this will affect their purchasing decisions if a Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep product is on their short list. As the saying goes, I've got good news and bad news (and some sad news). Which do you want first? I'll give it all to you after the jump.
Inside Line: Nissan Hikes Price on 2010 Infiniti QX56 As sales plummet for Nissan's brick-like QX56, there seems to be no price break in sight. Nissan announced that the price of admission has jumped an additional $1,000 -- now a hefty $56,915 for the base model. Savvy shoppers will note however, that haggling for the best price is always recommended.
Green Car Advisor: Future EV Stations Could Make Battery Swaps Faster than Pumping Gas Silicon Valley-based company Better Place (really, that's their name?), demonstrated a prototype of a filling station worthy of the 21st century. This station will remove a depleted battery from an electric vehicle and replace it with a fully charged unit quicker than it takes to pump 10 gallons of gas -- and it's completely automated. If the company prevails, and EV manufacturers are on board (with Nissan being a prime candidate), gas stations will go the way of your childhood pet -- that is, they'll be in a better place...
Straightline: Edmunds.com Dishes on the Best Values to CNBC Edmunds New York-based director of strategic marketing, John Giamalvo, announced on CNBC that now is still a great time to buy a car. He also revealed the best values in cars today, after factoring in insurance, maintenance, depreciation and financing.
After receiving thousands of complaints, today the Federal Trade Commision (FTC) filed two suits in federal court in an attempt to end a telemarketing campaign that has been blanketing the country with millions of (allegedly) deceptive "robocalls." The automated voice says, "Your car warranty has expired," warning the listener to "extend coverage before it is too late." If the listener then presses "1," they are connected with someone who tries to sell a vehicle service contract for thousands of dollars -- pretending it will extend the original vehicle warranty.
Don't fall for it.
"This is one of the most aggressive telemarketing schemes the FTC has ever encountered," said FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz. "I'm not sure which is worse, the abusive telemarketing tactics of these companies, or the way they try to deceive people once they get them on the phone. Either way, we intend to shut them down."
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Auto Observer GM Loses $6 Billion in the First Quarter General Motors posted a first quarter loss nearly double the amount of its losses in Q1 2008, but still less than analysts had predicted. GM executives remain confident that ther viability plan will help them become profitable again- something they haven't managed since 2004. With the June 1 restructuring plan deadline on the horizon, GM CEO Fritz Henderson is saying that bankruptcy is becoming a more probable scenario. Even if things do head south for GM, enthusiasts can breathe a collective sigh of relief in the fact that the Corvette is safe in GM's restructuring plans.
Edmunds.com Automaker vs. Aftermarket Tech: Which Offers Better Value? Many automakers these days are offering brand name stereo, navigation, and entertainment systems in their vehicles as "premium" upgrades over the factory equipment. But is it any good, and are you better served by buying an aftermarket system? Which is the better deal? Senior Technology Editor Doug Newcomb tests out a number of scenarios to answer all these questions.
Edmunds Daily Full-Size Truck Comparison: Chevy vs. Ford vs. Dodge vs. Toyota You may have read Inside Line's comparison test of the four best full size pickups, but we dug a little deeper into the results and looked at it from consumer's perspective. Which truck is best for the daily commute? Which is the best for the rugged outdoorsman? And which is the best for a wide range of activities? Check out our comparison test to see which truck fits your needs.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogsphere.
Edmunds Inside Line: GM Recalls V8-Powered 2010 Camaro SS The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro just debuted, and already there's a recall. A potential short in the engine compartment could cause the vehicle to stall without the ability to restart, and it could even result in an engine compartment fire, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall affects 1,243 SS-model Camaros. Chevrolet will start calling owners on May 6, and it anticipates mailing letters on May 18. Curious Camaro drivers can call Chevy at (800) 630-2438.
Edmunds Inside Line: Volvo Recalls 2007-08 S80 and 2008 XC70 and V70 Not to be outdone, Volvo has issued recalls of its own, and they're more sweeping, affecting two model years of the S80 luxury sedan ('07 and '08) as well as the '08 XC70 and V70 wagons. The issue is a software problem may cause the windshield wipers to malfunction, according to NHTSA. Volvo dealers will inspect the central electronic module and upgrade the software for free. The recall is expected to begin in May. Owners can contact Volvo at (800) 458-1552.
Edmunds.com: 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid Test Drive The new Silverado Hybrid is the first truck to employ the same "dual-mode" kind of hybrid technology popularized by the Toyota Prius. Unfortunately, the Silverado's hybrid powertrain is a little too complex for its own good in normal operation. Our comprehensive Silverado Hybrid Test Drive has all the details.
Edmunds AutoObserver: Moment Of Truth For "Cash For Clunkers" Program As the federal government's Cash for Clunkers bill makes its way through Congress, AutoObserver reports that any delay in passage may hurt short-term demand as buyers wait for the bill to pass before trading in their old gas-guzzlers. "Congress needs to pull the trigger," according to Edmunds.com CEO Jeremy Anwyl. "The more the publicity on cash for clunkers, the more likely sales will drop off as people wait." Read Michelle Krebs' full article here.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogsphere.
Auto Observer Saturn Blazed Ahead of its Time, Then Faded Into Oblivion It may come as a surprise to many that Saturn is on the verge of being sold off- as a part of General Motors restructuring process. But a closer look reveals that Saturn may have been doomed before the first car rolled off the assembly line. Auto Observer takes a True Hollywood Story-like retrospective on the rise and fall of the "no hassle, no haggle" car brand with the plastic body panels.
Green Car Advisor GM Says 2010 Equinox Crossover Will Win 32 MPG EPA Rating for Highway Driving Hoping to quiet critics that accuse domestic automakers of not building fuel efficient vehicles, the redesigned Chevrolet Equinox will get 22mpg city and 32 mpg highway. This mid-sized crossover SUV will get better combined fuel economy its closest competitors- the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4, and even a few mid-size sedans.
Straightline Volkswagen Launches Blog To Tell You Why Diesel is Our Savior Europeans love diesels. But in the U.S., many people have a hard time forgetting the image of those old- noisy, smelly, dirty, engines. Volkswagen has launched a blog to redeem the diesel's image and show you how far clean diesel engines have come.
Ford Fusion Hybrid Sets Hypermiling Record The Ford Fusion Hybrid has set a new record for distance on one tank of gasoline. It traveled for 69 consecutive hours and 1445.7 miles on a single tank, managing an impressive 81.5 mpg.
Chrysler Bankruptcy News Had enough Chrysler bankruptcy news yet? On Green Car Advisor, we look at the effect that the company's bankruptcy and reorganization will likely have on its green initiatives. On Auto Observer, we examine the company's plans to temporarily shutter its manufacturing operations. On Inside Line, we shed light on the company's plans to reduce its number of dealers. Finally, on Straightline, we cover GMAC's plans to take over the retail financing of Chrysler vehicles.
You'd have to live way off the grid to not know that Chrysler just declared bankruptcy, and that Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and Hummer are in their death throes. But where does it leave consumers?
As Phil Reed noted yesterday, and as we detailed in this article, the immediate impact on consumers should be limited (see the above links for details if you're still worried, but you needn't be unless you work for one of those companies or their dealerships).
Yes, it's a shock to realize that your car's brand may cease to exist -- or be reincarnated as something you don't recognize. But will that change the way you feel about your car?
In the past few years, BMW's have been known for their excellent free vehicle maintenance program. BMW announced earlier this month, that all models are now eligible for a two year extension to their Ultimate Service program.
If the vehicle is within four years or 50,000 miles, owners can pay between $1,400-$3,000 (depending on the model) to extend the free maintenance for up to 6 years or 100,000 miles- whichever comes first.
But what if your free vehicle maintenance plan just ended? For an additional $200, the enrollment period can be extended to five years and 60,000 miles.
Some people may view this as a pre-paid maintenance plan that isn't much of a deal. But we would argue that a car is in greater need of expensive repairs past the four year mark, and that's when this new maintenance plan kicks in. Let's look at a few common repairs to see if the coverage is worth it.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere. Auto Observer Good-Bye Pontiac, Saturn, Saab, Hummer General Motors' recent announcements may have dealt a coup de grace to Pontiac, but Saturn and Hummer are also on life support unless a buyer is found before the end of this year. Saab's situation is a bit more complicated, since it has already begun a Chapter 11 type restructuring in Sweden. GM will cut ties with Saab by the end of 2009, but is also willing to negotiate its U.S. distribution system.
Straightline Top 10 Pontiac Muscle Cars of All-Time If the Pontiac GTO was the car that started the muscle-car era, and the G8 was the last- and possibly best Pontiac ever, what other cars highlighted Pontiac's 83-year history? Straightline takes a stroll down memory lane, to a time when cars had huge engines and cool names like Firebird, The Judge and Trans Am. In his Tuesday Karl on Cars post, Editor-in-Chief Karl Brauer takes a look at Pontiac's decline in When did Pontiac Jump the Shark?
Inside Line Tundra and Sequoia price hike, Lexus drop-top stickers set The pricing on the 2010 Toyota Tundra has gone up an average of $557, and the 2010 Sequoia has gone up an average of $3,361 across all models. Toyota attributes these increased to the addition of more standard equipment such as: a redesigned towing hitch, driver and front passenger knee airbags, Bluetooth connectivity, MP3, and height-adjustable headlights.
Pricing for the convertible version of Lexus' IS was announced recently, and is significantly lower than its competitor, BMW's 3 Series. If you compare their base models, the Lexus IS 250C costs approximately $6010 less than a BMW 328i convertible.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
AutoObserver Is the Excitement Over? For anyone even moderately interested in automobiles or the global financial meltdown, it should come as no surprise that GM is likely going to kill-off the Pontiac brand. In an era when most of the models from Pontiac are rebadged vehicles from GM's stable -- save for a few exciting foreign adaptations like the G8 and GTO -- it appears that this satellite brand is simply unsustainable. This "first domino" is rumored to fall on Monday -- as if Monday's weren't hard enough.
Green Car Advisor 2010 Lexus RX 450h Pricing Revealed: A Greener Car Without Spending More Green Though we don't expect the revamped hybrid crossover in showrooms until this summer, Lexus has revealed pricing for the 2010 RX 450h. Buyers will save about $400 compared to the 2008 base model and about $200 for the AWD model. On top of a couple extra Benjies in their wallets, owners will get more power, better fuel economy, lower emissions and additional features. Who says it isn't easy being green?
Green Car Advisor Bill Ford Steers the Blue Oval Toward Greener Pastures Speaking at a Fortune Magazine conference in California, Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. made it clear that the company is embracing emerging technology to power the next generation of Ford vehicles. Rather than declaring one particular technology the victor, Junior hinted that Ford may pursue several different propulsion options. Also notable is the possibility that FoMoCo may purchase advanced batteries from Asia for use in the domestic market, though Mr. Ford cautioned that the U.S. should not allow foreign countries to dominate this field.
Straightline Audi Changes Its Engine Lineup in a Confusing, Alphabet Soup Mash-Up Audi has made some significant changes to its U.S. engine and model lineup for 2010. If notated via its alphanumeric script, the changes would look something like: [(2009 TT + A3) - VW VR6, 2.0T] + (A4 - 265hp 3.2 V6 = 2.0T); [(S4 + A6 + (A5 + 2.0T)] = 3.0 SC V6; [S8 = (2010 - V10)] + [5.2 V10 = (S6 + R8)]; 2008 A8 (W12) = 0. For translation, head over to the Straightline blog.
Toyota released its pricing for the 2010 Toyota Prius this week, and the new hybrid goes on sale next month. The pricing structure differs from the prior year in that there is only one trim level available, but with five levels of equipment combinations (Prius I-V).
The Prius II has an MSRP of $22,000. According to Toyota, this level offers more standard equipment than the 2009 base model Prius, for the same price. Toyota expects this equipment level to be the most popular, and has aggressively priced it to compete with the 2010 Honda Insight EX, which offers a similar list of standard equipment.
We didn't forget to mention the Prius I, which has an MSRP of $21,000. Toyota has not revealed the details about this model, nor is it yet available. Though the Prius I is expected to go on sale later this year, it is not yet known how widely available it will be. This equipment level is the most spartan and exists primarily to compete with the Honda Insight LX, which begins at $19,800, and went on sale last month.
Hyundai has issued recalls on almost 1 million vehicles covering four separate campaigns.
*The first and largest of the four recalls is nationwide. It concerns a potential brake lamp defect and affects up to 531,894 vehicles. The recalled models include the 2006-'07 Accent, Entourage and Sonata; the 2007 Azera, Elantra and Santa Fe; the 2005-'07 Tucson; and the 2007-'08 Veracruz. The Hyundai Recall Number is 092.
*The other three recalls are corrosion-related, and are limited to areas of the country where salt is used to de-ice roads during the winter. The affected models are the 1999-'04 Sonata; the 2001-'04 XG300; the 2001-'04 XG350; the 2001-'03 Elantra; the 2003 Tiburon; and the 2001-'03 Santa Fe. The Hyundai Recall Numbers are 089, 091 and 090.
For further details, contact the Hyundai Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-633-5151, or NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
Tomorrow, April 22nd, Edmunds is sponsoring its first Earth Day event for the public in conjunction with the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce. Nearly 30 local automotive businesses (such as car dealers, tire centers and rental car agencies) will offer free tire pressure checks and inflation upon request. The point is to improve fuel economy, help save people money on gas, and reduce vehicle emissions. Drivers having their tires checked will also receive a Michelin tire gauge, Edmunds.com T-shirt and information on how to maintain tires -- all free. Even more cool: We're going for a world record for the most tires inflated on a single day. Guinness, here we come!
Checking your tires once a month is important, even if they don't look low, said Tirerack.com Manager of Tire Information, John Rastetter. "People will say, 'gosh I looked at my tires this morning and they looked fine.' But we have found they can be 8 psi (pounds per square inch) low and not have it be apparent to the eye. And that's as much as 25 percent of the total tire pressure."
If you're in the West Los Angeles area, you can get your tires inflated by Edmunds.com volunteers from 9am - 3pm at the Shell Station on the southwest corner of Cloverfield and Michigan, right off the 10 Freeway. Local TV station KTLA is covering the event. For our partner hours and locations -- including points as far as Long Beach, Gardena, and Torrance, click here. Hope to see you there!
The 2010 Mazda 3 was launched just last month, but already a recall has been issued. The recall affects 25,400 vehicles and concerns a potential clearance problem between the engine harness and the housing of the starter; this problem may cause short-circuiting that could result in stalling, engine restart difficulties and/or poor shift quality.
Dealers will inspect the harness and add a protector clip to the affected section, and if necessary, the harness will be repaired. The recall is expected to begin on May 6.
The recall number is 5409D. Owners may get in touch with Mazda at 1-800-222-5500 for more information.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere
Straightline Ford Fiesta Outsells Volkswagen Golf in Europe Europe's having a Fiesta and it doesn't involve a mariachi band. Ford's completely redesigned Fiesta compact hatchback was the No. 1-selling car in Europe for March, with 52,805 units sold. It bumped off perennial favorite Volkswagen Golf. This means that the new Fiesta is not only a runaway critical success, but also a runaway sales success. You'd think this would be incentive for Ford to bring it over here as quickly as possible, but you'd be wrong. Don't expect our Fiesta until next year at the earliest. You'd better put away that sombrero.
Green Car Advisor Pack Up the Kids, Low Summer Gas Prices Predicted Domestic gasoline prices are forecast to stay relatively low during the summer months that typically are a high-demand season. The Energy Information Administration calls for regular-grade gasoline to peak $2.30 per gallon, with the summer average falling to $2.23. Last summer's per-gallon average of $3.81. Therefore, expect an increase in family road trips to the Grand Canyon and Mt. Rushmore this summer in newly purchased Suburbans.
Edmunds Auto Observer Take My Pickup, Please Maybe those lower gas prices will help pickup sales, because as of today, they are plunging faster than a grand piano dumped off the Sears Tower. Full-size pickup sales for the Detroit Three in the first quarter plunged 45.2 percent for GM's Silverado/Sierra, 44.9 percent for Ford's F-Series and 32 percent for Chrysler's Dodge Ram. If this trend were to continue, Ford would sell only 326,000 units this year, compared to 888,818 in 2004 (its best year). Chevy would go to 269,132 from 705,951. The only commentary needed is "wow."
(Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is proposing both a GPS driving tax and a gas tax.)
There are all manner of schemes being proposed to fill the dwindling state and federal coffers, many of which often focus on hitting the wallets of the driving public.
But rare is the state that has two driving-taxation plans which are as simultaneously enlightened and enraging as those proposed in the state of Massachusetts. Both have been promoted by the state's Governor, Deval Patrick.
The first of Patrick's initiatives definitely falls on the troubling side: the Governor is pushing a plan - "controversial" would be putting it mildly - to install Global Positioning System (GPS) chips in vehicle inspection stickers that would be used to tax the vehicle owner for the number of miles they drive.
Ford Motor Company has learned that people who search using its company name may be targeted for a scam selling bogus anti-software.
According to Ford's press release, if a computer user searches using the word Ford, they may be falsely lead to pages that instruct the user to download and install a malicious program. Once installed, the software imitates anti-virus and software.
The bogus anti-virus programs are designed to make people believe their computers are infected with a virus and sell them software to clean it. The program even makes their computers run poorly to convince them to buy their software.
More information is available on a video and a blog post. Ford is working with Google and other search engines to rectify the situation.
Chrysler has recalled 4,336 of its 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Commander and Wrangler models because of a potential airbag wiring problem. The steering wheel airbag wiring may be reversed -- and if it is, your airbag won't deploy. If your car is affected, your Chrysler dealer will inspect the airbag free of charge and redo the wiring if necessary.
Owners are encouraged to contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. The recall is no. J13.
General Motors is recalling 1,497,516 vehicles equipped with its 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6. The problem involves drops of engine oil that may be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking. If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire. This recall effects the following vehicles equipped with the aforementioned engine.
Buick Regal (1997-2003) Chevrolet Impala (2000-2003) Chevrolet Lumina (1998-1999) Chevrolet Monte Carlo (1998-2003) Oldsmobile Intrigue (1998-1999) Pontiac Grand Prix (1997-2003)
The fix involves dealers removing the spark plug wire retention channel at the front of the engine and install two new spark plug wire retainers. If you happen to own the Intrigue, call 1-800-630-6537 or visit www.gmownercenter.com.
The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) announced a significant decline in traffic fatalities for 2008. Its data is based on a statistical projection which indicated a 9.1 percent decline in traffic deaths from 2007. The official fatality count will be released in August 2009. If the results of this projection hold up, 2008 will have had the lowest deaths on record since 1961.
A major factor in the reduction of these fatal accidents has been the increase in seatbelt use. A related NHTSA survey found that 16 U.S. states and territories had seat belt usage rates of 90 percent or higher. Regions that had stronger seat belt enforcement laws had higher compliance rates than those with weaker laws.
Another reason is that Americans are simply driving less. The U.S. Department of Transportation noted a 3.1 percent drop in miles traveled during the month of January 2009 as compared to the prior year.
In an effort to lure in younger buyers, boxy econo cars are packing a great deal of technology for less than $20,000. Edmunds.com's Technology Editor Doug Newcomb recently tested a 2010 Kia Soul equipped with a Bluetooth hands-free system, iPod integration, an eight-speaker stereo system, and a USB port for playing music files on a flash drive. Is that technology any good? Follow the link for the full story.
Subaru believes that the lack of interior room was the reason why the previous generation Legacy didn't sell, so they went back and took a "bigger is better" approach to the new model. The automaker will be unveiling the upsized 2010 Subaru Legacy at the New York Auto Show this week. Inside Line got the early details on the midsize-sedan that will be 3.2 inches longer, 3.6 inches wider and 3.2 inches taller than the outgoing model. But while the new sedan makes its entrance, the Legacy wagon bows out.
If the standard Yukon Hybrid is too pedestrian for your tastes and the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is out of your price range, General Motors has the answer for you. The 2009 GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid gets 21 mpg in city driving while riding on 22-inch chrome wheels and offering a host of luxury features.
GMC has previewed its 5-passenger Terrain cross-over utility vehicle. Based on the same architecture as the Saturn Vue and upcoming redesigned Chevrolet Equinox, the Terrain shares no sheet-metal with either and has its own unique look. In fact, the styling will likely be what gets the most attention, as it has a love-it or hate-it decidedly truck-like look that contrasts greatly with the Euro-style of the Vue and the contemporary style of the Equinox. Catch an extended video and more details after the jump.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Straightline
2010 Chevrolet Equinox Priced at $23,185 General Motors has announced pricing for the four-cylinder version of its 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. A base front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder LS model will go for $23,185. That is a $1,825 drop from the outgoing model which featured a small V6, which basically put out the same amount of power as the new direct-injection inline-4.
Steve Saleen's New Company To Honor Warranties of Steve Saleen's Old Company Auto tuning master Steve Saleen has a new company called SMS Supercars. He started it after he was more or less booted out of his old company. Soon after his departure, the new owners issued a statement saying they were not responsible for honoring the warranty on Saleen vehicles. Thankfully, and quite shockingly, Steve Saleen has stepped into the fray to resolve the situation.
2010 Ford Transit Connect Full Pricing and Options Urban-bound plumbers rejoiced this week when Ford announced pricing for its 2010 Transit Connect work van. Imagine a miniature version of the Dodge Sprinter. It starts at $20,780.
For photos and more information, see this Straightline entry from the Chicago Auto Show
Volkswagen issued a recall today for the 2008 R32
and the 2009 CC
. Up to 5,000 vehicles of each model are estimated to have been affected. The R32 is being recalled
due to a faulty fuel tank ventilation valve. In some instances, this fuel leak can seep into other systems, and can potentially lead to a vehicle fire. The Volkswagen CC is being recalled
due to a faulty front seat belt buckle assembly. According to Volkswagen, some of the wires in the buckle assembly were not properly routed, and if damaged, can potentially deactivate the passenger's front airbag.
Dealers will fix the problems free of charge. Owners looking for more information can contact Volkswagen at (800) 822-8987 or call the National Highway Traffic Administration's safety hotline at (888) 327-4236.
Automaker incentives set a new all-time high in March, even though it appears they didn't help sales much. The average automotive manufacturer incentive was $3,169 per vehicle sold, yet March sales will come in at a paltry 774,000 vehicles sold -- a 40-percent drop from March 2008. Perhaps they should've thrown in a free T-shirt. People love that sort of thing.
For the complete story, including a list of incentives from the top seven automakers, see Edmunds Auto Observer.
Automakers these days are tossing ideas at the wall and hoping that something sticks to restore consumer confidence. Since buyers have been hesitant to make any large purchase in the event they lose their jobs, Ford and GM are taking a page from Hyundai and AutoNation's playbook by offering payment protection along with a host of new incentives.
Another reason why consumers are afraid to purchase a domestic vehicle is that they are afraid the automaker will go bankrupt before their warranty is up. The federal government has stepped in and announced that it will honor a new car warranty in the event your car company goes under.
The government has raised its expectations of fuel economy standards for the 2011 model year. The corporate average fuel economy has gone up a few mpg and will be calculated differently, resulting in different numbers among the automakers.
General Motor's CEO Rick Wagoner resigned Monday at the suggestion of the Obama administration. His inability to present the government with a viable restructuring plan for GM was the final gasp of his tumultuous tenure.
Chrysler and General Motors turned in their homework on February 17 and got them back with a big "F." The Obama administration has asked them to rework their viability plans because they "are not sufficient to justify a substantial new investment of taxpayer resources." Bankruptcy has not been ruled out as a possibility for either automaker. Obama's task force sees potential in GM's viability plans, but noted that Chrysler cannot keep afloat on its own.
As pressure mounts to end GM's sales slump, it appears that Chairman and Chief Executive Rick Wagoner will be stepping down.
The official announcement is expected to come Monday after President Obama unveils his plan to aid the struggling U.S. auto industry.
Wagoner has been at the helm for eight years and has been considered one of the best leaders to head GM. However, Washington is looking for a scapegoat for the current economic problems. GM was slow to respond to the competition from imports and also reluctant to adopt green standards and raise fuel economy levels.
GM and Chrysler have already received $17.4 billion in government money and are requesting more funds. As their pleas have increased their sales have slipped. While incentives and low interest financing have combined to make some of the best deals for consumers, many car buyers have worried about what will happen to warranty, parts and service if the manufacturer goes bankrupt. It now appears the government will back warranties from GM.
The hybrid rivalry heats up as the new Honda Insight and Toyota Prius get up to speed (albeit, a bit slowly). With recent hybrid sales tapering off, this might be the right time to buy. Inside Line offers a take on which green car will reign supreme.
70+ years ago, a little car from Germany changes the automotive landscape forever. Maybe you've heard of it -- the Volkswagen Beetle? A "people's car," as it was touted, made car ownership a reality for millions worldwide. Is the next people's car going to be the Tata Nano from India?
Our man in Mumbai, Nick Kurczewski hints that the Nano may be headed stateside in 2011 or 2012, so check out our coverage to see if a car that costs about the same as a large flat-panel TV is in your future.
Read the Inside Line and AutoObserver reports here, here and here.
If you've got some money to burn (and the SEC isn't snooping through your trash) and are looking for a very exclusive looking SUV, check out the Design Edition 3 Porsche Cayenne. Unless you live in L.A., the odds of seeing yourself coming the other way are slim as fewer than 100 are expected to come to the U.S., and pricing has been set at $89,900. This spicy new Cayenne is due to hit showroooms in the second half of this year.
The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), a testing agency independent of the government's NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has recently introduced roof crush tests to its testing regimen. As with their frontal-offset testing (the most common type of front-end collision), it seems that the IIHS has again topped the government in terms of offering more meaningful crash tests with tougher standards.
How times have changed. A couple decades ago, Buick was riding low with cars like the bottom-feeding Skylark, and Jaguar electronics were as good a bet as the stock market these days. Now, according to J.D. Power's 2009 Vehicle Dependability Survey, Buick and Jaguar are tied for first place, edging out longtime leaders Toyota and Lexus.
With a sleek new retractable hardtop design and an available 300-hp twin-turbocharged inline-6 under the hood, the 2009 BMW Z4 is nothing less than a reinvention of the Z roadster series. We've driven it. We like it. Shame about those twin drooping cutlines that dive-bomb the front wheelwells though.
We've heard about the muscle car's last hurrah before, yet somehow these tire-shredding V8-powered behemoths keep coming back to life. Dodge's latest effort sports a decidedly retro shape, though the interior is straight out of the Challenger's Charger sedan platform-mate. We couldn't resist picking one up for a year-long test. Our editors will be driving the Challenger on a nightly basis, so stay tuned to the inimitable Long-Term Blog for frequent logbook entries.
While new cars sales are down big time -- despite massive incentives that include zero percent or nearly as low interest rates -- used cars have been selling comparatively well. Because of this buying climate, a new version of a given model may prove cheaper to purchase than a used example, due to the aforementioned incentives and the fact that used car loans typically have much higher interest rates compared to new car loans.
With it looking like Chrysler edging ever closer to declaring bankruptcy, (rumor has it they will not be getting anymore money from the government come March 31st), it's all too easy to say that the company deserves to die. After all, why throw good money (we're talking billions here) after bad, right? Let's look at what Chrysler offers now and what they've contributed in the past...
Plans to use clean-running diesel engines for U.S. passenger cars are being shredded almost daily as troubles in the auto industry deepen, with the latest backtracking said to be coming from Nissan. The Japanese company confirmed in early 2008 it would launch a sophisticated 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 for the Maxima later this year, but those plans appear to be cancelled, or at least on hold.
The Aptera 2e is a three-wheel electric vehicle that looks like the spawn of an unholy union between a Cessna and an Indy car. If it were any more futuristic, it would have warp nacelles and be driven by Chewbacca. The Aptera costs $25,000 and can travel 100 miles before needing a recharge. Our Green Car Advisor, John O'Dell, took it for a spin.
The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is now in production. According the GM, 14,000 have already rolled off the line in Oshawa, Ontario -- most of them SS models. GM also announced the official EPA mileage estimates. The base 304-hp V6 will return 18 mpg city and 29 mpg highway when paired with a six-speed automatic. By comparison, the 210-hp Mustang V6 with five-speed automatic returns 16/24. I don't know, do you think that's worth the extra $2,000 a base Camaro will cost?
Despite lackluster car sales, incentives and rebates on new cars have remained relatively stable over the past few months. The exception to this would be Honda and Acura, which offered more incentives six months ago than they do today. But there are still some amazing deals out there.
Here are a few noteworthy deals for this month that our data team has compiled:
The economic downturn is even affecting current year model vehicles. The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe and the Mazda 3 have recently added special low and no-interest financing and lease offers. This month the 2010 Kia Soul has also added special financing offers.It is also unusual to see incentives on this year's models so soon after their release.
Saab has the most discounts for this month, and has increased its incentives from February 2009.
2009 Saab Models:
9-7X went from $1,000 customer cash to $3,000 dealer cash
9-5 went from $1,500 customer cash to $5,000 dealer cash
9-3 kept the same $1,500 customer cash but added $1,000 in bonus cash
2008 Saab models:
9-7X went from $8,500 to $10,000 customer cash
9-5 went from $4,500 plus $1,000 bonus cash to $8,500 customer cash
9-3 went from $4,000 plus $1,000 bonus cash to $6,500-8,500 customer cash (depending on the model)
Normally, a car maker doesn't put incentives on an all new model. They usually test the market waters first and see what kind of reaction the car gets from the buying masses. But in today's economy they don't have that "let's wait and see" time luxury and need to do whatever they can to scrape up some sales action, pronto. Hence incentives on all-new models such as the Hyundai Genesis coupe and Mercedes-Benz GLK compact crossover.
In these tough times, many normally upstanding consumers (financially speaking) have found themselves behind on their car payments. As such, car repossessions are at an all-time high. Here are some tips to consider if a repossession looks likely.
Although the 4.5-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8 was fully developed, GM decided to shelve the program for a few reasons. One is that in the light-duty truck sector, the diesel would require expensive exhaust treatment technology to meet the latest emissions standards. The other chief reason is that diesel engine options tend to be pricey and GM wasn't certain that folks in these cash-strapped times would want to pony up the additional cost at purchase time. GM states that they do want to build this engine and would consider a joint-venture manufacturing of the baby Duramax.
Though this is bound to stir up lunch- and dinner-time "debates" between husbands/wives, boyfriends/girlfriends and brothers/sisters, a recent survey done by leasetrader.com found that girls tended to be slobs more than the guys when it came to keeping their cars' cabins clean.
Honda has released pricing on the 2010 Insight hybrid and it's coming in about $800 higher than anticipated. But it's still considerably less than the Prius.
At $20,470 (including destination), the Insight LX stickers $2,250 less than the present -- 2009 model year -- Toyota Prius. The 2010 Prius doesn't go on sale until June and hasn't been priced yet.
For more details on the new Insight's pricing, check out this piece on Green Car Advisor.
For details on how the Insight compares against the popular Prius, check out our comparison test.
We like the Genesis, both coupe and sedan. However, Genesis sedan is clearly going after a different demographic than the coupe. This is especially true when you consider the price and feature difference between a top-of-the-line V8 sedan vs the turbo-four coupe. The former has the potential to attract buyers of $60K vehicles while the latter will start at $22K and will attract (for lack of a better term) the "Fast & Furious" set.
Does a luxury or premium buyer want to be in the same dealership as some sideways-baseball-cap wearing kid? Or visa-versa? If I am looking at a Genesis sedan, do I want to see some high-school kid looking to buy the coupe of the same name? Does that dilute the cachet they are trying to build around the sedan? Acura took this question into consideration when they decided to drop the RSX coupe from the line, in favor of a more upscale image.
Yes, they are mechanically related, but one would never know it by looking at them side by side. So, do you think Hyundai would have been better off giving the sedan and coupe different names?
It's not news to anyone that General Motors is in trouble. But today, when GM's internal auditors cast serious doubts upon the company's ability to restructure and recover from it's ailing financial health, the giant automaker got a thumping, as its stock price dropped almost 18%, to $1.80
GM's situation is an extraordinarily tangled web of suppliers, unions, creditors, the government, dealer networks, employees, etc. A failure of any part could, potentially, mean a failure for the whole. But is GM too big to let fail? Will the government step in (again) to help it, or might the company be able to accomplish most of the goals of bankruptcy without actually declaring such? AutoObserver has all the details here.
Meanwhile, if you're worried what this means for the GM car you already own, read Phil Reed's blog post here. We'll also have an article coming out soon about what bankruptcy of any automaker, brand, or dealership will mean for you.
Susan Doherty, vice president for Pontiac, Buick and GMC divisions, announced on the GM Fastlane blog that the Pontiac Torrent crossover SUV would be discontinued. The slow-selling Equinox clone seemed likely for execution given GM's promise to cut models and Pontiac's new designation as a "niche brand."
However, she also announced a small five-passenger GMC crossover SUV, which sounds all-the-world like a 2010 Equinox clone. So much for cutting models.
Doherty also mentioned the continued sale of G5, G6, G8, Solstice and Vibe, plus the introduction of the Aveo-clone G3. Perhaps this is only in the short-term, but that certainly doesn't sound very nichy to me. Other than the G8 and Solstice (both rumored to die after its current generation), Pontiac's lineup is uninspired and hardly the excitement division it's marketed to be. They could disappear tomorrow and the only folks who would notice work at Pontiac-Buick-GMC dealers.
As if reading my mind, Doherty preemptively countered, "we know that we don't have all of the answers right now and that can be very uncomfortable, but we refuse to let media speculation and negativity make up our minds for us." (Is it just me, or does that seem lifted directly from a Sarah Palin sound bite?)
This may be speculative and negative, but it seems that the direction of Pontiac will continue to be in limbo for the foreseeable future.
Nobody likes those red circular down arrows. They're depressing, and although the three brands on the left have grown used to them, the numbers beneath those arrows should come with a Costco tub of Prozac.
Automakers sold 691,073 vehicles in February, down 40.9 percent from the 1,168,729 they sold one year ago. That marked the lowest level of car sales for any February since 1967, a year in which there were only 103 million registered drivers -- half as many today. There were also significantly fewer Toyotas, Hondas and Nissans on the road (that's the understatement of the day), so imagine the market share difference between 42 years ago and today.
No other car has arguably been a bigger news maker in the past decade than the Toyota Prius. While the Nissan GT-R might have made waves in the automotive enthusiast community, the Prius exploded onto the scene, becoming one of the best-selling vehicles on the market. Here in California, the Prius outnumbers avocados.
Therefore, the arrival of the all-new 2010 Toyota Prius is being greeted with a flood of information. Here is a run-down of its coverage on Edmunds.com.
In these dismal economic times, no one likes to talk about annual sales projections, but Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager for Toyota Motor Sales USA, did just that at last week's press launch for the 2010 Toyota Prius in California's Napa Valley. Toyota expects to sell 100,000 examples of the 2010 Prius from the time it goes on sale in May until the end of 2009.
Gas is down around $2 a gallon again. Honda is about to introduce a $19,000 (give or take) hybrid. The economy's in the tank. People are pinching pennies like crazy. And new-car sales are at their lowest levels in decades. And yet, Toyota expects the the 2010 Prius, which arrives in showrooms in June, will reverse the model's sliding sales and bring 100,000 buyers into the market in the last seven months of this year.
There will be a lot more in the coming weeks about the 2010 Toyota Prius, so stay tuned to Edmunds and Inside Line.
Car owners, as suspected, are hanging onto their current vehicles longer -- and longer and longer. In 2004, the average trade-in was 4.32 years old. For 2008, the average trade-in was 5.3 years old. In the first two months of this year, the age jumped to 5.95 years old. I suppose they just don't make'em like they used to.
I have always despised valet parking, and this week's latest "Confessions" article only confirms my hatred. When we decided to delve into the secret life of valet parking attendants, we expected some stories about concealed door dings, petty theft or occasional hijinks behind the wheel. But we had no idea the extent to which some valets routinely take liberties with their customers' property. In other words, I won't be valeting my car tonight.
A survey conducted by theUSA Today newspaper and Gallup poll this week found only 25 percent of Americans believe the government should continue lending money to Detroit automakers. In December, before the government approved emergency auto loans, 61 percent favored federal help for the automakers. Perhaps those corporate jets had something to do with. Maybe it was the Pontiac Solstice Coupe.
According to papers filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, Mazda is recalling 30,600 of its CX-9 SUVs. Models affected are 2007-2009 CX-9s with power seats and memory function. The seat harness under the cushion may short circuit, which could cause the seat to move uncontrollably, creating a serious driving hazard. (Think of your seat reclining all the way back while you're on the highway.)
Mazda dealers will fix the seat free of charge. The recall letters are expected to go out to owners on or before March 9, 2009. Owners can contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Things keep getting rosier for General Motors as it announced this week it lost $30.9 billion in 2008. On the upside, that's a $7.8 billion improvement from the year before when GM posted the biggest loss in its history. On the downside, the only thing keeping it from oblivion is the United States government. GM is presently seeking $16.6 billion more from Congress and the Obama administration, as well as foreign governments.
GM continues to make cuts (it recently cast away Saab, which filed for bankruptcy in Sweden), but expects its woes to continue through 2009.These are dark days indeed.
For the full story on GM's latest bout of bad news, see the full Edmunds Auto Observer article
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